Ultrasonics in Stainless Steel 316L

[Bluecat46]

Gents

Hoping some one can enlighten me regarding Long range ultrasonic in Stainless steel.
I have spoken to one company they did not seam bothered about it testing 316L, but I spoke to another and I was informed that because of grain structure with in the 316L then the beam would bonce everywhere and not give a true picture.

Which one is right?
Thanks

 

[EdStainless]

Depends on the product form and what you are looking for.
If it is a casting or something with a lot of welds in it then you wont be able to see very far.
In forged bar you can use longitudinal wave to see a long ways.
Of course the farther you want to look the lower the resolution will be.

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[Bluecat46]

thanks for your help Ed
I'm looking at doing long range UTS in sch 160 1" and 1.5" 316L Pipe with Welded joints.

 

[SJones]

1. What type of imperfections are being investigated?

2. For those that think it is 'no problem,' ask them to produce a qualification dossier demonstrating that there is an acceptable POD for the imperfections being sought in the same material.

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04

All answers are personal opinions only and are in no way connected with any employer.

 

[EdStainless]

Even if the world worked perfectly you could never find anything smaller than the irregularity of the welds.
And given that pipe will have a +/-12.5% variation is wall......
If you are looking for 90% wall loss then maybe, you will never find something less than 50%, IMO.

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