Ultrasonic nondestructive testing by head waves: Physical prerequisites and practical use

In 1972, studies on ultrasonic testing of metals from equipment at nuclear power stations performed at TsNIITMASh revealed a phenomenon of excitation of longitudinal waves with angle probes and their further propagation along the contact surface. This phenomenon was further comprehensively studied and called head waves in ultrasonic nondestructive testing of metals. Head waves have found use in practical ultrasonic testing both in Russia and abroad. This paper presents some principal points of the development of the theory and practice of ultrasonic testing by head waves.Translated from Defektoskopiya, Vol. 40, No. 9, 2004, pp. 27–37.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Razygraev.This paper is based on the materials reported by the author at the International Forum of Specialists of Universities, Research Institutes, and Companies from Different Countries of the World Ultrasonic Nondestructive Testing-75, St. Petersburg, Russia, February 4–5, 2003.