New applications using phased array techniques

In general, the application of phased array techniques used to be limited t o heavy components with large wall thicknesses, such as those in the nuclea r power industry. With the improvement of the phased array equipment, inclu ding phased array search units, other application areas are now accessible for the phased array inspection technique, e.g. the inspection of turbine b lade roots, weld inspection with a wall thickness ranging from 12 to 40 mm, inspection of aircraft components, inspection of spot welds and the inspec tion of concrete building components. The objective for the use of phased a rray techniques has not significantly changed since their first application ? e.g. instant adjustment of the sound beam to the geometry of the test obj ect by steering incidence angle, skew angle and/or sound field focusing. Be cause some new phased array technique applications are still in the experim ental (laboratory) stage this article will focus on some examples for pract ical, real-weld applications. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.