What is the purpose of angle beam testing in ultrasonic testing?

The purpose of angle beam testing in ultrasonic testing is to identify flaws that are not perpendicular to the surface. This technique utilizes an angled transducer to generate ultrasonic waves, allowing for the detection of internal discontinuities, such as cracks or voids, which may be oriented parallel to the surface of the material. By using an angle beam, the ultrasonic waves can travel through the material and reflect off any flaws at specific angles, thereby improving the chances of detection for defects that might otherwise be missed if the transducer were aligned perpendicular to the surface.

In contrast, surface defects are best detected with normal incident ultrasonic testing, and evaluating the thickness of extensive materials typically relies on direct wave measurements rather than angle beam techniques. Additionally, measuring temperature variations within materials does not fall under the scope of ultrasonic testing, as it focuses on the propagation of sound waves rather than thermal properties. Therefore, using angle beam testing is particularly beneficial in assessing the integrity of materials where flaws may be oriented at non-perpendicular angles.