Thickness independent ultrasonic imaging applied to abrasive cut off wheels

Abrasive cut off wheels are at times unintentionally manufactured with nonu niformity that is difficult to identify and sufficiently characterize witho ut time consuming, destructive examination. One particular nonuniformity is a density variation condition occurring around the wheel circumference, al ong the radius, or both. This density variation, depending on its severity, can cause wheel warpage and wheel vibration resulting in unacceptable perfo rmance and perhaps premature failure of the wheel. Conventional nondestruct ive testing methods such as ultrasonic C-scan imaging and film radiography are inaccurate in their attempts at characterizing the density variation be cause a superimposing thickness variation exists as well in the wheel. In t his article, the single transducer thickness independent ultrasonic imaging method, developed specifically to allow more accurate characterization of aerospace components, is shown to characterize the extent of the density va riation in a cut off wheel having a superimposing thickness variation. The method thereby has potential as an effective quality control tool in the ab rasives industry for the wheel manufacturer.