Ultrasonic Velocity Testing

Velocity testing refers to the precise measurement of the acoustic velocity in a material in order to indirectly measure some mechanical or microstructural property of that material. It is widely used in foundries for assessment of the percent nodularity in ductile iron. With forgings, it can be used to check the soundness of a heat treating operation (e.g., the depth of a hardened case). Simultaneous measurement of longitudinal and shear wave velocities can be used to determine the elastic properties of the test piece.