ADL-UT20. Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

A portable ultrasonic thickness gauge (or portable ultrasonic thickness measurement device) is a tool that utilizes ultrasonic waves to measure the thickness of materials. This type of measuring equipment is widely applied in various industries where determining an object’s thickness is crucial without the need for disassembly or damage.

The working principle of a portable ultrasonic thickness gauge involves sending short pulses of ultrasonic waves through the material. These waves pass through the material and reflect from the internal boundary, such as the opposite side of the material or another layer. The device then measures the time it takes for the ultrasonic waves to travel forward and backward, using this time to calculate the material’s thickness.

Portable ultrasonic thickness gauges possess several advantages that render them valuable tools across various fields:

Non-destructive testing: Measurements are taken without the need to dismantle or damage the object, making them particularly valuable for non-destructive testing and material condition assessment.

Reusable application: Thickness gauges can be used to measure the thickness of various materials and structures, making them versatile instruments.

Portability: As implied by the name, they are compact and easily transportable, enabling operators to conduct measurements on-site, even in hard-to-reach areas.

High accuracy: Portable ultrasonic thickness gauges ensure high measurement accuracy, making them useful for quality control and material assessment.

Diverse applications: They are utilized in industries to inspect pipe wall thickness, corrosion, welded seam defects, monitor boiler wall thickness, and other equipment in power plants, and more.

A portable ultrasonic thickness gauge presents itself as a valuable instrument for non-destructive control of material thickness measurement in various fields, where accuracy, portability, and preservation of the measurement object are essential.

The working principle of a portable ultrasonic thickness gauge is based on the use of ultrasonic waves to measure the thickness of materials. Here’s how it works:

Ultrasound Emission: A portable ultrasonic thickness gauge generates short pulses of ultrasonic waves. These waves have a very high frequency that extends beyond the range audible to the human ear.

Material Penetration: Ultrasonic waves are directed through the surface of the material where thickness measurement is needed. They penetrate into the material, propagating along it.

Reflection at Internal Boundary: Upon encountering an internal boundary of the material (such as the opposite side of the material or another layer), a portion of the ultrasonic waves reflects back.

Signal Reception: The portable thickness gauge has a sensor capable of detecting the reflected ultrasonic waves. When these reflected waves reach the sensor, it registers them.

Time-of-Flight Measurement: The thickness gauge measures the time it takes for the ultrasonic waves to travel from the front surface of the material to the internal boundary and back. This time is known as the time of flight.

Thickness Calculation: The measured time of flight of the ultrasonic waves is used to calculate the material’s thickness. This is done using the speed of ultrasound propagation in the material (known as the sound velocity) and the time-of-flight formula to determine the actual thickness of the material between its front and back surfaces.

Result Display: The measurement result of the thickness can be displayed on the device’s screen or transmitted to an external display or computer for analysis and data storage.

A portable ultrasonic thickness gauge can measure the thickness of various materials, including:

Metals: Thickness gauges can measure the thickness of different metallic materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, nickel, titanium, and more. This is crucial in industries for monitoring pipe wall thickness, casings, welded joints, and other components.

Plastics: Portable ultrasonic thickness gauges are also applicable for measuring the thickness of plastic materials used, for instance, in the automotive and electronics industries.

Composites: These gauges can measure the thickness of composite materials like carbon fiber-reinforced plastics, fiberglass-reinforced plastics, and others widely used in aviation, aerospace, and other sectors.

Glass and Ceramics: Measuring the thickness of glass and ceramic materials is also achievable with ultrasonic thickness gauges, which proves valuable in construction, manufacturing of glass panels, and other fields.

A critical factor for successful measurements is understanding the speed of ultrasound propagation in specific materials. Different materials have distinct sound velocities, and these parameters need to be considered when calculating thickness. In most cases, such thickness gauges can operate across a wide range of materials, making them versatile tools in various industrial applications.

Additionally, it’s important to account for the attenuation of ultrasound velocity in certain materials due to large grain size or heterogeneity. Before using ultrasonic thickness gauges on non-metals or metals with significant grain size, testing the gauge’s ability to investigate the maximum depth in that material should be conducted.

Non-Destructive Testing: One of the key advantages of portable ultrasonic thickness gauges is their ability to conduct measurements without the need for disassembly or damaging the object. This enables material thickness assessment without affecting its integrity.

High Accuracy: Ultrasonic measurements provide highly accurate results, especially when using meticulously calibrated instruments. This makes them valuable for quality control and material assessment.

Portability and Convenience: Portable thickness gauges are easily transportable and applicable on-site, even in hard-to-reach areas. They do not require complex infrastructure or specialized setups.

Measurement Speed: Measurements with ultrasonic thickness gauges can be rapid and efficient. Operators can perform measurements directly on-site, minimizing downtime.

Versatility: Portable ultrasonic thickness gauges are capable of measuring the thickness of various materials, including metals, plastics, composites, glass, and more. This makes them useful across diverse industries.

Defect Detection: In addition to thickness measurement, these gauges can also aid in detecting defects such as corrosion, internal cracks, and other irregularities.

Access to Inaccessible Areas: In some cases where traditional measurement methods are not feasible due to accessibility challenges, portable thickness gauges can be the only practical option.

Relatively Low Equipment Cost: Portable ultrasonic thickness gauges can be more cost-effective compared to certain other measurement methods.

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