Next-generation phased array based Ultrasonic Polar Scan system for the characterization of visco-elastic materials

Non-destructive testing (NDT) refers to techniques that are used in the life-cycle of a structural component to investigate their quality, functionality and 'health' without destroying the object, nor affecting its properties. The development of NDT techniques is ever-evolving and needs continuous upgrading because of the emergence of new industrial materials, the increasing demand to more sensitive and more quantitative characterisation and quality control, and the need for earlier detection of defects. The Ultrasonic Polar Scan (UPS) is an advanced NDT method that analyses reflected or transmitted ultrasonic signals coming from an object over a wide range of azimuthal and polar angles. The recorded information (amplitude, phase, or time-of-flight) provides a highly sensitive fingerprint of the local material properties and damage status. The goal of the project is to achieve a step-by-step design and development of a prototype of a Circular Phased Array (C-PA) for conducting ultrasonic polar scans. It is based on improving the current experimental set-up in order to make it more compact, accurate and practical to use. The specific objective of the project involves building a modular experimental set-up and conducting performance checks to investigate crosstalk and to globally optimize the design of the C-PA UPS. Furthermore, a series of experimental measurements and case studies on different materials will be used for experimental validation. Finally a prototype for in-situ measurements will be designed, which will include the final device holder, the zenith rotation and a confined water-bag coupling.