How Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Techniques and Numerical Simulations Can Work Together in the Evaluation of the Elastic Properties of Glasses

Abstract

This paper presents the numerical simulation of the ultrasonic wave transmittance utilizing the elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT). With this methodology, it is possible to simulate the propagation of the ultrasound in a medium with a relatively low computational cost. The capability of this technique for determining the elastic properties of fluorophosphate and the aluminosilicate glasses is described in detail. The elastic constants of the glasses were calculated from the theoretically predicted longitudinal and transversal sound velocities and compared with the corresponding experimental data. Furthermore, the calculated and experimental elastic properties of the fluorophosphate and aluminosilicate glasses were correlated with the structural peculiarities of these glasses. This simulation technique is also suitable for unveiling the existence of possible defects in the glasses by comparing the experimental and simulation data. The EFIT technique is shown to be a very useful tool in order to provide fast and easy-to-acquire data regarding also the structural characteristics of various glassy systems. This can be used in conjunction with other spectroscopic techniques which can prove to be extremely useful for the non-destructive testing of vitreous materials. The latter can prove very important when vitreous materials used in optical or optoelectronic applications need continuous monitoring in order to ensure their optimum operation and functionality with limited intervention. The main contribution of this paper is the treatment of numerical time-domain modeling of 2D acoustic wave propagation in a viscoelastic medium by implementing the elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT).