Which type of waves can a wedge convert during Ultrasonic Testing?

In ultrasonic testing, a wedge is primarily used to convert longitudinal waves, which are the type of waves that travel through a material by compressing and expanding the medium. The wedge serves the important function of facilitating the proper angle of incidence for these waves when they are introduced into the test material.

When longitudinal waves generated by the ultrasonic transducer reach the wedge, the angle at which they hit the surface can allow them to be transmitted into the test material effectively, depending on the material's acoustic properties and the design of the wedge. This conversion is crucial for ensuring that the waves propagate into the test subject in the correct manner to detect any internal flaws or characteristics accurately.

Other wave types, such as Rayleigh waves, surface waves, and torsional waves, are not primarily converted using a wedge in ultrasonic testing. Rayleigh waves typically travel along the surface of a material, and although they can be useful in specific testing contexts, they are generated differently from longitudinal waves. Torsional waves, which involve twisting motion along a cylindrical structure, and surface waves, which propagate along the surface, also do not utilize wedges for conversion during ultrasonic procedures. Therefore, the correct identification of longitudinal waves as the focus of conversion highlights their significance in the practical application of ultrasonic testing