Ultrasonic Shear Wave Research Articles

Ultrasonic characterization of conductive epoxy resin/polyaniline composites

ABSTRACTThis study presents the ultrasonic characterization of conductive epoxy resin (ER)/polyaniline (PANI) composites. The prepared PANI is mixed with ER matrix at weight percentages of 5%, 10%, and 15% for preparing the ER/PANI composites. The effects of PANI amount on the mechanical properties of ER/PANI composites are investigated by ultrasonic pulse‐echo‐overlap method. Also, electrical conductivity, ultrasonic wave velocity and ultrasonic micro‐hardness values of ER/PANI composites are correlated. Experimental results show that there is an excellent correlation between ultrasonic micro‐hardness and ultrasonic shear wave velocity. Also, the results of ultrasonic velocities and elastic constants values illustrate that the appropriate combination ratio is 95 : 5 for ER and PANI in ER/PANI composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42748.

Ultrasonic Characterization of Microstructural Changes in Ti-10V-4.5Fe-1.5Al β-Titanium Alloy

Ultrasonic measurements have been carried out in Ti-10V-4.5Fe-1.5Al β-titanium alloy specimens subjected to β annealing at 1173 K (900 °C) for 1 hour followed by heat treatment in the temperature range of 823 K to 1173 K (550 °C to 900 °C) at an interval of 50 K (50 °C) for 1 hour, followed by water quenching. Ultrasonic parameters such as ultrasonic longitudinal wave velocity, ultrasonic shear wave velocity, shear anisotropy parameter, ultrasonic attenuation, and normalized nonlinear ultrasonic parameter have been correlated with various microstructural changes to understand the interaction of the propagating ultrasonic wave with microstructural features in the alloy. Simulation studies using JMatPro® software and X-ray diffraction measurements have been carried out to estimate the α-phase volume fraction in the specimens heat treated below the β-transus temperature (BTT). It is found that the α-phase (HCP) volume fraction increases from 0 to 52 pct, with decrease in the temperature from 1073 K to 823 K (800 °C to 550 °C). Ultrasonic longitudinal and shear wave velocities are found to increase with decrease in the heat treatment temperature below the BTT, and they exhibited linear relationships with the α-phase volume fraction. Thickness-independent ultrasonic parameters, Poisson’s ratio, and the shear anisotropy parameter exhibited the opposite behavior, i.e., decrease with increase in the α-phase consequent to decrease in the heat treatment temperature from 1073 K to 823 K (800 °C to 550 °C). Ultrasonic attenuation is found to decrease from 0.7 dB/mm for the β-annealed specimen to 0.23 dB/mm in the specimen heat treated at 823 K (550 °C) due to the combined effect of the decrease in the β-phase (BCC) with higher damping characteristics and the reduction in scattering due to randomization of β grains with the precipitation of α-phase. Normalized nonlinear ultrasonic parameter is found to increase with increase in the α-phase volume fraction due to increased interfacial strain. For the first time, quantitative correlations established between various ultrasonic parameters and the volume fraction of α-phase in a β-titanium alloy are reported in the present paper. The established correlations are useful for estimation of volume fraction of α-phase in heat-treated β-titanium alloy, by nondestructive ultrasonic measurements.

Performance of Ultrasonic Shear Wave Elastography in Assessing Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions.

To determine the best shear wave elastography (SWE) quantitative parameters including the maximum elasticity (Emax), mean elasticity(Emean), minimum elasticity, standard deviation and ratio of Emean (Eratio) in assessing benign and malignant breast lesions. Totally 302 breast lesions underwent conventional ultrasound and SWE. Each lesion was classified according to ultrasound Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves were used to determine the cut-off values of SWE quantitative parameters and to suggest breast lesions as benign or malignant. The sensitivity,specificity and the Youden index (sum of sensitivity and specificity minus 1) of SWE quantitative parameters were compared,and then the sensitivity,specificity and the Youden index of the combinations of each SWE parameters in assessing breast lesions were compared. The sensitivity,specificity and the Youden index of the Emax were 0.87,0.97 and 0.84,which were higher than other SWE parameters (all P<0.01). The sensitivity, specificity and the Youden index of Emax combined with ultrasound BI-RADS were 0.86,0.97 and 0.83, which were higher than other combinations (all P<0.01). Compared with other parameters, Emax has the best performance in assessing breast lesions. It can be used as an important quantitative indicator for the evaluation of benign and malignant breast lesions.

Laboratory measurements of ‘porosity‐free’ intrinsic Vp and Vs in an olivine gabbro of the Oman ophiolite: Implication for interpretation of the seismic structure of lower oceanic crust

AbstractIn order to determine ‘porosity‐free’ intrinsic ultrasonic compressional (Vp) and shear wave (Vs) velocities and Vp/Vs of an olivine gabbro from the Oman ophiolite, we developed a new experimental system using a piston‐cylinder type high‐pressure apparatus. The new system allowed us to measure velocities at pressures ranging from 0.20 to 1.00 GPa and at temperatures up to 300°C for Vp and 400°C for Vs. At room temperature, the Vp and Vp/Vs increase rapidly with pressure up to 0.40 GPa, while between 0.45 and 1.00 GPa the increase is more gradual. The change in increasing rate is attributed to closure of porosity at pressures above 0.45 GPa. Based on the linear regression of data obtained at higher pressures (0.45–1.00 GPa) and extrapolation to the lower pressures, combined with temperature derivatives of velocities of the sample measured at 1.00 GPa, we determined the intrinsic Vp and Vs of the sample as a function of pressure (P, in GPa) and temperature (T, in °C). The intrinsic velocities can be expressed as Vp (km/s) = 7.004 + 0.096 × P − 0.00015 × T, and Vs (km/s) = 3.827 + 0.007 × P − 0.00008 × T. We evaluated the intrinsic Vp and Vs of the olivine gabbro at oceanic crustal conditions and compared them with a velocity depth‐profile of the borehole seismic observatory WP‐2 area in the northwestern Pacific Basin. Although the intrinsic Vp (∼7.0 km/s) and Vs (∼3.8 km/s) for the olivine gabbro studied are comparable to those of seismic layer 3 in the WP‐2 area, the estimated vertical gradients of intrinsic velocities are significantly smaller than those reported from layer 3. These results suggest that velocity profiles of layer 3 in the WP‐2 area may reflect the presence of a minor porosity in lower oceanic crust, which closes with increasing depth and/or continuous changes in mineralogy of layer 3 rocks.

Quantification of kidney fibrosis using ultrasonic shear wave elastography: experimental study with a rabbit model.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasonic shear wave elastography for quantification of renal fibrosis in an experimental rabbit model. Thirty-eight kidneys of 19 rabbits were studied and categorized into 3 groups: group I, ureter obstruction (n = 9); group II, renal vein occlusion (n = 10); and group III, normal control (n = 19). Before surgery, we measured stiffness at the renal cortex using shear wave elastography and evaluated the sonographic findings, including size, echogenicity, and resistive index. We repeated the same sonographic examinations weekly until the fourth week. The degree of histologically quantified fibrosis and the measured stiffness values were statistically compared. There was no significant difference in the mean stiffness values for the renal cortex in the 3 groups before surgery (8.95 kPa in group I, 9.06 kPa in group II, and 9.74 kPa in group III; P > .05). However, the mean stiffness in each group on the last sonographic examination was significantly different (10.91 kPa in group I, 13.92 kPa in group II, and 9.77 kPa in group III; P = .003). Pathologically, the degree of fibrosis was also significantly different (3.62% in group I, 11.70% in group II, and 0.70% in group III; P< .001). The fibrosis degree and stiffness were positively correlated (ρ = 0.568; P = 0.01). Tissue stiffness measured by ultrasonic shear wave elastography was positively correlated with histopathologic renal fibrosis. Ultrasonic shear wave elastography may be used as a noninvasive tool for predicting renal fibrosis.

GS1-7 Evaluating elasticity dynamics of three-dimensional cell-matrix using ultrasonic shear waves(GS1: Cell and Tissue Biomechanics II)

GS1-7 Evaluating elasticity dynamics of three-dimensional cell-matrix using ultrasonic shear waves(GS1: Cell and Tissue Biomechanics II)

New Combinational Method for Noninvasive Treatments of Superficial Tissues for Body Aesthetics Applications

The paper introduces an innovative combinational treatment method based on ultrasonic standing waves (USW) technology for noninvasive surgical, therapeutic, lypolitic or cosmetic treatment of tissues including subcutaneous adipose tissue, cellulite or skin on arbitrary body part of patient. The method is based on simultaneous or successive applying of constructively interfering physically and biologically sensed influences: USW, ultrasonic shear waves, radio-frequency (RF) heating, and vacuum massage. The paper provides basic physical principles of USW as well as critical comparison of USW and HIFU methods. The results of finite-elements and finite- difference modeling of USW transducer design and nodal pattern structure in tissue are presented. Biological effects of USW-tissue interaction and synergetic aspects of USW and RF combination are explored. Combinational treatment transducer designs and original in-vitro experiments on tissues are described.

Non-destructive Characteristics of Ultrasonic Waves in 1018 Low Carbon Steel

In this paper, the dependences of the velocities and the absorption coefficients of ultrasonic waves transmitted in 1018 low carbon steel on temperature ranging from 0\(^{\circ}\)C to 50\(^{\circ}\)C were investigated. It was shown that the velocities of the ultrasonic longitudinal wave and ultrasonic shear wave were decreased when the temperature increased. The transportation of the ultrasonic longitudinal wave and ultrasonic shear wave depends on temperature and its coefficient in a temperature range of (0 - 50 \(^{\circ}\)C) was estimated about 0.8 m/s.\(^{\circ}\)C and 0.44~m/s.\(^{\circ}\)C, respectively. These obtained results are in good agreement with the theoretical prediction. Furthermore, the absorption coefficients of the ultrasonic longitudinal wave were also studied.

Detection of mild traumatic brain injury in rodent models using shear wave elastography: preliminary studies.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause adverse physiologic changes in fluid content within the brain, which may lead to changes in tissue elasticity (eg, stiffness). This study evaluated the ability of ultrasonic shear wave elastography to observe these changes in the brain after TBI in vivo. Mice and rats received a mild TBI or sham surgery and were imaged acutely or 24 hours after injury using shear wave elastography, and the hemispheric stiffness values were compared. Stiffness values were consistent across brain hemispheres of sham TBI rodents. By 24 hours after TBI, relative brain tissue stiffness values for mice and rats each decreased ipsilaterally and increased contralaterally, both relative to each other and compared to sham TBI rodents (P < .05). The absolute tissue elasticity value increased for rats (P < .05) but not for mice. Differences between intrahemispheric stiffness values of rodent brains by 24 hours after mild TBI may reflect the observed edema and hemorrhage ipsilateral to TBI and the known reduction of cerebral blood flow in both brain hemispheres. If these hypotheses hold true, ultrasonic shear wave elastography may offer a method for detecting adverse changes in fluid content within the brain after mild TBI.

Monitoring setting and hardening process of mortar and concrete using ultrasonic shear waves

Ultrasonic wave methods have been extensively investigated for monitoring the setting and hardening process of cementitious materials. However, the commonly used P wave velocity parameter is affected by air voids in the material in the fresh state. In addition, the conventional ultrasonic wave velocity test setup typically needs access to both sides of a structural member, which is not always possible for in-situ field testing. The ultrasonic shear wave reflection method measures the acoustic property of the near surface material only. In this paper, ultrasonic shear waves, measured by embedded piezoceramic bender elements, are used to monitor the setting and hardening process of mortar and concrete. Experimental results from mortar and concrete mixtures with different water to cement ratios show a clear relationship between the shear wave velocity and the penetration resistance (ASTM C403), which indicates that the shear wave velocity is a more reliable indicator than the P wave velocity for in-situ monitoring of the setting and hardening process of cementitious materials.

The effect of hip rotation on shear elastic modulus of the medial and lateral hamstrings during stretching

Regarding hamstring stretching methods, many studies have investigated the effect of stretching duration or frequency on muscle stiffness. However, the most effective stretching positions for hamstrings are unclear because it is impossible to quantify muscle elongation directly and noninvasively in vivo. Recently, a new ultrasound technology, ultrasonic shear wave elastography, has permitted noninvasive and reliable measurement of muscle shear elastic modulus, which has a strong linear relationship to the amount of muscle elongation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of hip internal and external rotation on shear elastic modulus of the lateral and medial hamstrings, respectively, during stretching in vivo using ultrasonic shear wave elastography. Twenty-three healthy men (age, 23.0 ± 2.1 years) were recruited for this study. To investigate the effect of hip rotation on the elongation of the medial and lateral hamstrings, shear elastic modulus of the biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST) was measured at rest (a supine position with 90° knee flexion, 90° hip flexion, and hip neutral rotation) and in seven stretching positions (with 45° knee flexion and hip internal, external, and neutral rotation) using ultrasonic shear wave elastography. In both BF and ST, the shear elastic modulus in the rest position was significantly lower than that in all stretching positions. However, no significant differences were seen among stretching positions. Our results suggest that adding hip rotation at a stretching position for the hamstrings may not have a significant effect on muscle elongation of the medial and lateral hamstrings.

Ultrasonic exploration of vacancy centres with the Jahn-Teller effect. Application to the ZnSe crystal

We show that the structure, properties, and concentration of vacancies in crystals can be studied by ultrasonic experiments previously employed for impurity centres only. Measurements of the temperature dependence of attenuation and phase velocities of ultrasonic shear waves of 52 MHz propagating along the crystallographic axis [110] of nominally pure ZnSe single crystals (grown by the seeded physical vapour transport method) show strong anomalies which are typical for relaxation processes in system with isolated Jahn–Teller (JT) centres. The observed JT distortion mode is trigonal, subject to a threefold orbitally degenerate T-term interaction with trigonal and tetragonal nuclear displacements. In the absence of sufficiently high concentrations of impurity atoms with such properties we attributed the observed JT centres to zinc vacancies. The temperature dependence of the isothermal and adiabatic forms of the appropriate elastic modulus and the relaxation time show that the relaxation mechanism changes from thermal activation at higher temperatures to tunnelling through a potential energy barrier below 18 K. We provide an estimate of the magnitude of the potential barrier, as well as the pseudorotation frequency and concentration of vacancies. Also we determine the extremum points of the adiabatic potential energy surface of the vacancy centre.

Acute Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle Hardness of the Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Belly in Humans: An Ultrasonic Shear-Wave Elastography Study

This study investigated the acute effects of static stretching (SS) on shear elastic modulus as an index of muscle hardness and muscle stiffness and the relationship between change in shear elastic modulus and change in muscle stiffness after SS. The patients were 17 healthy young males. Muscle stiffness was measured during passive ankle dorsiflexion using a dynamometer and ultrasonography before (pre) and immediately after (post) 2 min of SS. In addition, shear elastic modulus was measured by a new ultrasound technique called ultrasonic shear wave elastography. The post-SS values for muscle stiffness and shear elastic modulus were significantly lower than the pre-SS values. In addition, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient indicated a significant correlation between rate of change in shear elastic modulus and rate of change in muscle stiffness. These results suggest that SS is an effective method for decreasing shear elastic modulus as well as muscle stiffness and that shear elastic modulus measurement using the shear wave elastography technique is useful in determining the effects of SS.

Monitoring Setting of Geopolymers

AbstractThe setting behavior of geopolymer pastes as a function of time was studied using two methods: penetration resistance and ultrasonic shear wave reflection. Several starting materials were included—metakaolin, Class C and Class F fly ashes, and slag—and chemical parameters known to affect set were varied. The geopolymers showed a wide range of set times compared to a reference Portland cement paste: some were much more rapid, some were similar, and some were much slower. Although most geopolymers formed gels that were both solid and had measurable strength, some, initially, formed a soft gel that had no measurable strength. Therefore, to fully characterize setting behavior, it is necessary to use both types of tests. It was seen that setting behavior was sensitive to chemical parameters, with setting delayed somewhat with increasing silica/alumina and increasing water/alkali, and accelerated substantially with calcium hydroxide substitution.

Ultrasonic properties of epoxy resin/marble waste powder composites

Non‐destructive techniques are suitable alternatives for characterization of composites. The aim of this study is to analyze the composites of epoxy resin (ER)/marble waste powder (MWP) by ultrasonic method. The effects of marble powder, coagulant type, and dosage on the ultrasonic properties of ER/MWP composites were investigated. The ultrasonic wave velocities of composites were measured with the pulse–echo method at room temperature by a flaw detector. The values of the acoustic impedance, Poisson's ratio, and elastic constants of the samples were calculated by the measured values of the densities and both longitudinal and shear ultrasonic wave velocities. According to the results, the ER/MWP composite using sepiolite coagulant in dosages of 4 g/500 mL has showed the highest values of elastic constants. POLYM. COMPOS. 36:584–590, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

Numerical Simulation of Ultrasonic Shear Wave Propagation Based on the Finite Element Method

The present paper provided a kind of numerical simulation method which was employed to guide the process of ultrasonic nondestructive testing and analyze the inspection results. The simulation concerning the propagation process of shear wave in the steel plate was carried out using the ANSYS, according to the mechanism of ultrasonic mode conversion. Then, the frequency, velocity and refraction angle were extracted from the time-domain date in order to verify the simulation. It is found that the result of simulation agrees well with the theoretical one, which shows that the present method is correct and reliable.

National Primary Standard for the Units of the Propagation Velocities of Longitudinal, Shear, and Surface Ultrasonic Waves in Solids

Improvements in the national standard for the unit of the propagation velocity of longitudinal ultrasonic waves in solids are examined. The measurement techniques and standard measures for velocity are described. The composition and metrological characteristics of the new standard are discussed. In accordance with the scientific and technical program "Standards of Russia" and the steps planned for the intro- duction of the national primary standard for the unit of the propagation velocity of longitudinal ultrasonic waves in solids, GET 189-2010 (1), work has been under way at the Far Eastern Branch of the All-Russia Research Institute of Physicotech- nical and Radio Measurements (VNIIFTRI) during 2010-2012 to improve the standard, including the development and intro- duction of two new standards facilities as part of the standard for measuring the propagation velocities of shear and surface ultrasonic waves in solids. Thus, the new national primary standard GET 189-2012 ensures the uniformity of measurements of the propagation velocities of the main types of acoustic waves in solids. This standard is at the top of the national verifi- cation scheme for means of measuring the propagation velocity of ultrasonic waves in solids, which establishes the order of transfer of reproduced units to working standards and means of measurement. The need for measurements of the propagation parameters of ultrasonic waves in solids arises from fundamental, as well as applied research. The propagation parameters of ultrasonic waves are used in fundamental research for calculating the elastic constants and moduli of elasticity - the most important characteristics of solids (2). These parameters are also need- ed for determining the physical and mechanical characteristics, as well as the endurance properties of solids, and are of the greatest importance for creating new materials, and in developing techniques for producing and using these in technology and industry. However, the demand for measurements of the propagation velocity of ultrasonic waves is primarily related to the need to ensure the uniformity of measurements in the area of nondestructive testing of the quality of materials and work pieces using acoustic methods and means of measurement. An analysis of Russian and foreign literature in this area shows that the most promising approach for the develop- ment of original standard means of measurement in solid-state acoustics is the use of contactless methods for generating and receiving ultrasonic waves: optical and capacitive (3-8). Optical methods form the basis of the standard GET 189-2012. The standard laser-interference system for measuring the propagation velocity of longitudinal ultrasonic waves in the standard GET 189-2010 (1) serves as the basis for creating the unified standard facility for reproduction of the units of the prop-

Simultaneous measurement of the velocity of an ultrasonic shear wave and the thickness of a test object with plane-parallel boundaries using two antenna arrays

Methods for the determination of the unknown velocity of the propagation of shear US waves and the unknown thickness of a test object were considered. Two antenna arrays working in the double-scanning mode, where echo signals are recorded, which were emitted and received by all pairs of antenna-array elements, were suggested. Antenna arrays on prisms were mounted on the test-object surface towards each other. An algorithm for the treatment of measured echo signals was designed using a method that is similar to the least-squares method. The use of the algorithm enables one to simultaneously determine the sound velocity and thickness of a test object with plane-parallel boundaries with an exactness greater than 0.5%. In this article, the factors were studied that affect the exactness of measurements and methods of their elimination or minimization. The results of numerical experiments and the use of the method on three samples relative to measurements using an IN-5101A instrument are given.

Internal inspection of reinforced concrete for nuclear structures using shear wave tomography

Reinforced concrete is important for nuclear related structures. Therefore, the integrity of structural members consisting of reinforced concrete is germane to the safe operation and longevity of these facilities. Many issues that reduce the likelihood of safe operation and longevity are not visible on the surface of reinforced concrete material. Therefore, an investigation of reinforced concrete material should include techniques which will allow peering into the concrete member and determining its internal state. The performance of nondestructive evaluations is pursuant to this goal. Some of the categories of nondestructive evaluations are electrochemical, magnetism, ground penetrating radar, and ultrasonic testing. A specific ultrasonic testing technique, namely ultrasonic shear wave tomography, is used to determine presence and extent of voids, honeycombs, cracks perpendicular to the surface, and/or delamination. This technique, and others similar to it, has been utilized in the nuclear industry to determine structural conditions.

Numerical Investigation of Propagation of Ultrasonic Waves in the Waveguides with Mode Conversion

Ultrasonic investigation techniques are widely used in materials characterisation and non-destructive testing applications. In special cases of applications, such as investigation of properties of melted polymers, metals and hot liquids, measurements must be performed in a wide temperature range. However conventional piezoelectric transducers cannot withstand higher temperatures than the Curie temperature. Therefore in order to protect conventional ultrasonic transducers from influence of a high temperature and to avoid depolarization, measurements must be performed using special waveguides with a low thermal conductivity between the object under investigation and the ultrasonic transducer. For measurements of the material properties, such as viscoelastic properties of materials, additional shear wave transducers must be used. In this work approach how to excite both, longitudinal and shear waves using special waveguides with mode conversion, using pair of conventional ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducers is presented. In this work numerical investigation of propagation of longitudinal and shear ultrasonic waves in the waveguides with mode conversion using finite element method and CIVA software was carried out. Modelling of propagation of simultaneously generated longitudinal and shear waves using pair of longitudinal ultrasonic transducers was performed. Influence of temperature gradient to the required incidence angle of the longitudinal wave was evaluated.