Review of Ultrasonic Signal Acquisition and Processing Techniques for Mechatronics and Material Engineering

Abstract

Review of ultrasound applications in mechanical and material engineering is presented. Application examples in material thickness, profile measurement are given. Applications for load, stress, stiffness, porosity, density, viscosity, bond strength, hardening depth evaluation are discussed. Composite or polymer curing states can be monitored. Ultrasonic signal propagation velocity, attenuation or nonlinearity can be used for aforementioned parameters extraction. Signal acquisition setup configurations along with signal processing techniques are discussed. Ultrasound can be used for structure integrity testing or monitoring. Imaging of the inner material structure or properties distribution requires special reconstruction techniques. Presence of the structural noise is masking the defects. Image reconstruction and structural noise reduction techniques are outlined.