Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT)
Phased Array (PA) ultrasonic is an advanced method of ultrasonic non destructive testing which can be used in any application environment where traditional ultrasonic flaw detectors can be used.
Ultrasonic Phased Array technology is now an established method for advanced NDT testing applications. Phased Array techniques allow the user to control parameters such as beam angle and focal distance to create an image of the test part, enhancing defect detection and speed of testing.
Ultrasonic phased arrays use a multiple element probewhereby the output pulse from each element is time delayed in such a way so as produce constructive interference at a specific angle and a specific depth. These time delays can be incremented over a range of angles to sweep the beam over the desired angular range. For example, 40 to 70 degree beam sweep would be produced by calculating the time delays to produce constructive interference at 40, 41, 42 ...70 degs. This NDT technology is also referred as Swept Beam Ultrasonic testing. The main advantages of phased array in NDE are:
- Ability to sweep a range of angles
- Ability to display the image in real time for the swept angles
- Ability to focus
