What does a decrease in frequency generally result in for ultrasonic waves?

A decrease in frequency for ultrasonic waves generally results in improved penetration ability. Lower frequencies have longer wavelengths, which allows the waves to travel further into materials with less attenuation. This is particularly important in applications where assessing thickness or integrity deep within a material is necessary.

Higher frequencies, while capable of providing higher resolution and detecting finer details, tend to be absorbed more quickly by the material, which limits their penetration depth. Therefore, using a lower frequency can be advantageous when a greater depth of investigation is required, as it helps to achieve a more accurate assessment of the material properties or defects located deeper in the material structure. This characteristic makes it particularly valuable in nondestructive testing scenarios where evaluating the internal structure of components is essential.