What is the difference between straight beam and angle beam ultrasonic testing?

Straight beam ultrasonic testing employs a perpendicular incidence of the ultrasonic waves to the material surface. This method is primarily used for detecting flaws that are directly along the path of the waves, making it effective for identifying vertical or parallel defects such as cracks or voids in the material's cross-section.

On the other hand, angle beam ultrasonic testing sends ultrasonic waves at an angle to the material surface, which is particularly advantageous for inspecting welds and detecting flaws that lie along the welds or at an interface. The angled incidence allows for better penetration and evaluation of discontinuities that may not be easily detected with straight beam methods. As a result, each method is tailored to specific types of inspections: straight beam for general volumetric flaws and angle beam for applications like weld inspection where the orientation of the flaws may vary.

The other options highlight misunderstandings about the methods. For instance, the claim that straight beam testing uses angled incidence contradicts the definition of straight beam testing. Additionally, the notion that straight beam testing solely targets deep flaws while angle beam only addresses surface flaws misrepresents the capabilities of both techniques. Lastly, the suggestion that one method may be inherently more sensitive than the other fails to consider the specific application and the type of flaws being investigated. It is