Optimization of mechanized ultrasonic testing parameters for extended welds

The requirements for the speed, pitch and scanning direction, and also for ensuring acoustic contact maintenance and taking into account the anisotropy of rolled products during mechanized ultrasonic testing of extended welds of steel structures are formulated based on the research conducted and the analysis of the literature data on the conditions of diagnostics for main pipelines facilities. The relevance of the work is determined by a large amount of welded joints inspection, including butt and longitudinal pipe welds, casings of pig-trap stations, filters of different application purposes, and steel tank wall structures. The article formulates the general principles of choosing mechanized scanning parameters and shows the need to consider ultrasound scattering indicatrix on various defects. The issues of setting the monitoring parameters are considered, including the possibility of using vertical drilling (vertical cylindrical reflector) for the adjustment and check of the equipment during mechanized scanning.