Ultrasonic testing (UT) is the collective term for a variety of non-destructive testing techniques that use ultrasonic sound waves in materials to detect flaws or make accurate thickness measurements.

We offer ultrasonic testing to a variety of industries including aerospace, defence and across the general engineering and construction sectors.

On-site, Tailwind Solutions technicians are equipped and experienced in carrying out ultrasonic inspection of aerospace components, welds, castings, forgings, phased array mapping and in thickness checking of aircraft, pipelines, pressure vessels and wrought products of all varieties.

Ultrasonic bond-testing is a useful means of verifying that glued layers of a material are structurally and adhesively bonded together and fit for purpose. 

Most aircraft structures consist of thin layers of aluminium bonded together. Bond testing can be a quick, inexpensive and highly accurate method of finding disbonded areas in aircraft structures (both at manufacturing stage and once in-service).

Helicopter blades, skin panels and many other aircraft contain sandwich structures made from aluminium, fiberglass, or carbon/graphite over a honeycomb core.

Bond testing is a highly portable and cost-effective means of verifying structural integrity and ensuring the aircraft is ready for flight.

All our inspectors are level II or level III certified to EN4179 / NAS410.

Advantages:

• Internal defects can be detected and sized when a validated procedure is applied
• Thick specimens take no more time to examine than thin ones, assuming correct instrumentation set up
• Access to only one side of the component is needed
• There is no radiation hazard in ultrasonic examination, and hence no disruption of work as there is with radiography
• Volumetric and crack like defects can be detected, irrespective of their orientation

Disadvantages

• high degree of operator skill and integrity is needed. Hence, the need for trained and certified NDT personnel
• In most examinations, there is no permanent record of the inspection as there is in radiography, however more recent equipment does offer this facility
• In certain materials, like austenitic steel, the large grain size found in welds can cause attenuation and this may mask defects
• Spurious indications, and the misreading of signals, can result in unnecessary repairs, which is why a validated procedure should be applied when carrying out any ultrasonic examination.