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3/23/09
11:06 AM
Page 24
BY MARIAN LARSON
any factors influence which ultrasonic couplant will perform best for each specific application. Couplants can
be selected by utilizing the following ten criteria to
match the testing requirements:
1. Corrosion Inhibition. The couplant selected must not
cause corrosion. Why is corrosion important? Corrosion damage from ultrasonic couplants can take many forms, from reducing the useful life of the component, such as interfering with an
applied coating or plating, to catastrophic failure of the part due
to hydrogen embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking, or deep
pitting. (Detailed information on corrosion follows this list.)
Corrosion damage is often not visible (crevice corrosion,
hydrogen embrittlement; titanium stress corrosion cracking
at elevated temperature).
Corrosion may take place over a long period of time.
Hydrogen embrittlement is a concern with low-alloy, highstrength steel such as bolts and landing gear, while stress corrosion cracking is a concern with titanium components that
are subjected to elevated temperatures.
Corrosion specifications can be used as a guideline for couplant suitability; for example, ASTM F519, Hydrogen
Embrittlement of Steel, and ASTM F-945, Titanium Stress
Corrosion Cracking.
2. Acoustic Impedance. Greater couplant acoustic impedance reduces surface noise and improves coupling on rough
and/or curved metal surfaces. Very high acoustic impedance
(Z) couplants provide improved results for concrete testing and
rough, pitted, or corroded metal surfaces.
3. Viscosity. Higher viscosity couplants provide enhanced
coupling and reduced surface noise on curved surfaces.
Viscosity selection involves exposure (overhead surface drips),
adhesion to the part (vertical surface), and ease of application
(spreading couplant over the area to be inspected). Viscosity
measurements are a relative indicator between couplants using
the same polymers (i.e., comparing couplants that use acrylic
polymers). Couplants using different polymers have very different flow (rheology) characteristics and do not necessarily relate
by viscosity measurement numbers. In considering viscosity
requirements, the presence of surface salts from corrosion or
the environment influence couplant selection. Cellulose polymer couplants (such as Echogel, UT-X Powder, and SonoGlide)
will provide better viscosity stability and will not thin when in
contact with salts.
4. Temperature Range. Temperature of the part to be tested, length of time the inspection will take, and whether the couplant will be left in place (flow meters or acoustic emission) all
influence the temperature range required of a couplant.
MARIAN LARSON (mlarson@sonotech-inc.com) is marketing and sales manager, Sonotech, Inc., Bellingham, Wash.
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