Advanced Matrix Phased Array Settings for Inspection

Phased-array technology is being more and more adopted in the field of ultrasonic non destructive testing because of its enhanced flexibility over conventional monolithic probes. The most common abilities of steering, focusing and electronic scanning have been largely described; they allow faster inspection times or inspection of components with limited accessibility. Although these techniques have been used for quite some time in the NDT field, most applications have been carried out with linear phased-array probes (1D probe). More complex applications now require advanced phased-array techniques based on matrix array design. The use of matrix array probes usually leads to an increase in the number of elements and requires improved phased-array driving software and systems. Recent developments carried out at CEA and M2M are providing user-friendly tools to conceive and exploit these 2D probes. By defining groups of transmitters and receivers, electronic trajectories, active apertures (patterns) and combining them with advanced delay laws it is now possible to predict complex inspections. It is also possible to visualize the simulated or acquired data resulting from those inspections in a 3D view of the component thanks to 3D-CAD features and ultrasonic ray paths. Several inspections of complex components (nozzles, CAD specimen...) are presented here; they illustrate some potential applications for matrix array probes.