What type of waves are produced by a transducer during ultrasonic testing?

In ultrasonic testing, the transducer generates acoustic waves, which are mechanical waves that propagate through a medium. These waves are crucial for the NDT process, as they are used to detect flaws and assess the integrity of materials. When the transducer emits these acoustic waves, they travel through the material being tested, reflecting off surfaces and any discontinuities, allowing for the analysis of the material's condition based on the returned signals.

While mechanical waves and sound waves are technically correct in describing what is produced, referring specifically to acoustic waves captures the essence of the nature of these waves within the context of ultrasonic testing. Acoustic waves encompass sound waves that travel through solids, liquids, and gases, directly linking to the functionality and principles behind ultrasonic testing methods. Electromagnetic waves, on the other hand, are not relevant in this context, as they pertain to different types of testing methods such as radiographic testing.