When is a reference standard used in ultrasonic testing?

A reference standard in ultrasonic testing is critical for calibration and ensuring accuracy in measurements. It serves as a benchmark against which the ultrasonic testing equipment can be adjusted and tested. This allows technicians to verify that their instruments are functioning correctly and maintain consistent performance throughout the inspection process.

Using a reference standard helps establish a known response to ultrasonic waves, which can then be compared to the responses obtained from test materials. This comparison is crucial for understanding the characteristics of the material being tested, identifying flaws, and ensuring that the measurements of flaw size and location are accurate.

While determining the speed of sound in the material can be one function of a reference standard, it is more valuable when used for calibration purposes. Similarly, measuring the thickness of a material can occur during testing, but accuracy is closely tied to the calibration process involving the reference standard. Visualization of flaws in real-time is more related to the capabilities of the ultrasonic testing equipment rather than the function of the reference standard itself.