Five questions to ask yourself plus tips to help you select the best nondestructive testing couplant for your UT application
The purpose of a good ultrasonic couplant is:
- To get as much of the ultrasonic energy from the transducer into the test part
- To get as much of the ultrasonic energy that is reflected by the flaw of the test surface back into the transducer
Because sound energy is affected by the density of the material it travels through, it does not travel well between air (low density) and solids (high density).
So, in order for the ultrasonic energy to get from the transducer (a solid), into the test piece (another solid), it is necessary to form a “bridge” across the space between the two solids for the ultrasonic energy to travel across. In many cases, an ultrasonic couplant is used to create the “bridge”.
The goal of selecting the right UT couplant is to maximize the amount of energy transmitted over the “bridge” while at the same time minimizing risk, cost, time, clean-up, etc.
In this article, we go over five questions to ask yourself and provide recommendations for each to help you select the best ultrasonic couplant for any application.
1. What parts are being inspecting?
Surface texture
A part with a rough surface texture means a couplant has to do more work to create a reliable “bridge” for the ultrasonic energy to travel across. A thicker couplant will fill in the gaps and ridges on a rough-textured part better than a thin-watery couplant.
However, on smooth test surfaces, you don’t need a thick viscosity couplant. Here, a thin couplant is ideal for helping a transducer glide easily over the smooth or machined surface.
Type of metal / material
The key to any nondestructive test is that the material needs to be exactly the same after the test as it was before, this is why it is critical to use a couplant that is proven to not damage the test part in any way.
Unlike some non-spec approved materials commonly used as a couplant (such as high-temp grease, Vaseline, motor oil, hair gel, etc.), an NDT-couplant should have independent testing to guarantee it is safe to use on the material the part is made of.
Some couplants are better at corrosion inhibition than others, some couplants are safe to use on plastic and fiberglass, some are approved for aerospace alloys. Make sure you know what materials your couplant is approved for.
Size
If the part or test area is relatively large, it is important to use a couplant that is self-leveling to minimize the amount of time spent applying the couplant.
Also, a couplant with good wetting characteristics will help ensure uninterrupted transmission during an UT inspection over a large test area.
2. What are the test environment / conditions?
Inspection angle
Is the surface to be inspected horizontal, vertical, overhead?
For a vertical or overhead inspection, it is best to use a thicker couplant with a higher viscosity which will cling to test surface and provide a reliable bridge for the ultrasonic energy to travel through.
Temperature
For high-temperature ultrasonic testing, it is important to use a couplant specifically formulated to hold up in high temperatures since a general-purpose couplant will not transmit ultrasonic energy at high temps and may burn or ignite.
When selecting a high-temp couplant, pay special attention to the auto-ignition temperature, which is the lowest temperature at which it will spontaneously ignite in a normal atmosphere without an external source of ignition, such as a flame or spark. Make sure to never use a high-temp couplant at a temperature above the auto-ignition temperature.
Additional special attention is needed when performing ultrasonic thickness readings with insulation. The action of the couplant mixing with the insulation creates a lower ignition temperature, so extra caution is needed in these applications.
Additionally, ultrasonic thickness readings are often in a "closed" environment where fumes or smoke may build up when the couplant begins to decompose due to heat exposure. This lowers the couplant’s flash point so you should not use a couplant at the upper end of its recommended temperature range in these situations. Always make sure to consult the couplant’s product data sheet before using it in a high-temperature application.
For ultrasonic testing in low temperatures, a water-based couplant is not the best choice because they are more likely to freeze when the temperature drops. A better option in low temperatures is to use a silicone- or glycol-based couplant. However, some water-based couplants can be “winterized” by adding propylene glycol to the couplant. Make sure to check with the couplant manufacturer before adding propylene glycol, or any other material, to a couplant.
Another consideration for UT inspections in extreme temperatures is that couplant viscosity will go up (get thicker) at lower temperatures and will go down (get thinner) at higher temperatures. So pick a couplant that will give you the desired viscosity during the inspection, which might mean picking a thicker or thinner couplant than you think you will need.