What is the term for the time interval from emission to reception of an ultrasonic pulse?

The term for the time interval from emission to reception of an ultrasonic pulse is referred to as "time-of-flight." This concept is fundamental in ultrasonic testing as it directly relates to the distance that the ultrasonic waves travel. When an ultrasonic pulse is emitted, it travels through the material until it hits a boundary (such as a flaw or the back wall of the test specimen) and is reflected back to the receiver. The total time taken for this round trip is the time-of-flight.

Time-of-flight is critical in determining the thickness of a material or identifying the location of flaws within it, as it allows technicians to calculate the distance using the known speed of sound in the tested medium. This principle is what enables accurate measurements to be obtained during ultrasonic testing procedures.

The other terms, while related to ultrasonic testing, refer to different aspects of the process. "Echo time" would imply the time taken for the echo to return, but does not necessarily encompass the full interval from emission to reception. "Pulse duration" describes the length of time that the ultrasonic pulse is generated, while "transmission time" may refer to other contexts of signal processing. Understanding the distinct meaning of "time-of-flight" is essential for effectively applying ultrasonic testing techniques.