Ultrasonic Testing for Steel Pipe Quality

Ultrasonic testing (UT) is a nondestructive testing (NDT) technique that can detect internal material conditions without damaging the material. Ultrasonic testing is a crucial step in quality control for large steel structures. Why is it so popular across many industries?

UT exploits the propagation characteristics of high-frequency sound waves (>20kHz) through materials. A probe converts electrical signals into ultrasonic waves and directs them into the workpiece. When the sound waves encounter internal discontinuities (defects) such as cracks, inclusions, or pores, they reflect, producing echoes. By analyzing these echoes, the defect can be precisely located.

UT is suitable for most metal materials, including steel, aluminum, and copper:

• Excellent penetration: It excels at inspecting thick-walled workpieces and effectively assesses their internal conditions.
• High sensitivity: It is highly sensitive to critical internal defects such as cracks.
• Efficiency: It offers fast inspection speed, is cost-effective, and can be easily automated.

UT presents challenges for inspecting workpieces with complex geometries. Testing requires a coupling agent such as water or oil to ensure effective transmission of sound waves into the workpiece. Furthermore, interpretation of results is highly dependent on the operator's expertise.

At SMLSCO, we carefully consider material properties, workpiece geometry, expected defect types, and relevant industry standards to scientifically select the optimal nondestructive testing (NDT) combination, including UT. This is our solemn commitment to our customers' inventory security and product reliability.