Foreword

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Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
ISO 5577 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 135, Non-destructive testing,
Subcommittee SC 3, Ultrasonic testing.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 5577:2000), the structure and
terms and definitions of which have been technically revised.

1   Scope
This International Standard defines the terminology used in ultrasonic non-destructive testing
and forms a common basis for standards and general use. This document does not cover terms
used in ultrasonic testing with phased arrays.

NOTE Terms for phased array are defined in EN 16018.

2   Terms and definitions

2.1   Frequency
2.1.1
frequency
number of cycles per unit of time
2.1.2
cut-off frequency
frequency at which the amplitude of transmitted energy is 3 dB below that at peak frequency
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1.
2.1.3
nominal frequency
probe frequency
nominal frequency of the probe as stated by manufacturer
2.1.4
test frequency
effective ultrasonic wave frequency of a system used to test a material or component
2.1.5
frequency spectrum
distribution of amplitude in relation to frequency
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1.
2.1.6
centre frequency
arithmetic mean of the frequencies at which the amplitude is 3 dB below the amplitude at the
peak frequency for a through-transmission test and 6 dB for a pulse echo test
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1.
2.1.7
peak frequency
frequency at which the maximum amplitude is observed
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1.
2.1.8
bandwidth
width of the frequency spectrum between the upper and lower cut-off frequency
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1.
2.1.9
relative bandwidth
ratio of the bandwidth to the centre frequency, in percent

2.2   Wave and pulse

2.2.1
ultrasonic wave
any acoustic wave having a frequency higher than the audible range of the human ear, generally
taken as higher than 20 kHz
2.2.2
wavefront
continuous surface joining all the most forward points of a wave that have the same phase
2.2.3
wavelength
distance travelled by a wave during a complete cycle
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 2.
2.2.4
amplitude
absolute or relative measure of a sound wave's magnitude
2.2.5
phase
momentary condition of a vibration expressed as an arc measurement or an angle
2.2.6
pulse
electrical or ultrasonic signal of short duration
2.2.7
pulse amplitude
maximum amplitude of a pulse (peak-to-peak)
Note 1 to entry: For rectified pulses (A-scan) baseline-to-peak.
2.2.8
pulse energy
total energy within a pulse
2.2.9
pulse shape
diagramatic representation of the amplitude of a pulse as a function of time
2.2.10
pulse envelope
contour of a pulse shape including all the peaks in terms of amplitude and time
2.2.11
pulse duration
time interval between the leading and trailing edges of a pulse measured at a defined level below
the peak amplitude
2.2.12
pulse repetition frequency (prf)
number of pulses generated per second, expressed in Hertz
2.2.13
broad-band pulse
pulse in which the relative bandwidth is ≥ 65 %
2.2.14
narrow-band pulse
pulse in which the relative bandwidth is ≤ 35 %
2.2.15
medium-band pulse
pulse in which the relative bandwidth is > 35 % and < 65 %
2.2.16
pulse reverberation
undesirable vibration at the beginning and end of a pulse above a defined level
2.2.17
pulse rise time
time taken for amplitude to change between two defined levels
2.2.18
time of flight
total (round trip) time it takes an ultrasonic pulse to travel from the probe to a reflector and back
to the probe

2.3   Types of waves
2.3.1
longitudinal wave
compressional wave
wave in which the direction of oscillation is in the same direction as the propagation of the wave
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 2 a).
2.3.2
plate wave
Lamb wave
wave which propagates within the whole thickness of a plate and which can only be generated at
particular values of angle of incidence, frequency and plate thickness
2.3.3
surface wave
Rayleigh wave
wave which propagates on the surface of a material with an effective penetration depth of less
than one wavelength
2.3.4
transverse wave
shear wave
wave in which the direction of oscillation is perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of
the wave
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 2 b).
2.3.5
creeping wave
wave generated at the first critical angle of incidence and propagated along the surface as a
longitudinal wave
Note 1 to entry: It is not influenced by the test object's surface conditions, nor does the beam
follow undulations on the surface.
2.3.6
cylindrical wave
wave with a cylindrical wave front
2.3.7
spherical wave
wave with a spherical wave front
2.3.8
plane wave
wave with a planar wave front

3   Terms relating to sound

3.1   Sound generation and reception
3.1.1
transducer
active element of a probe which converts electrical energy into sound energy and vice versa
3.1.2
piezo-electric transducer
transducer which uses a plate of piezo-electric material
3.1.3
focusing transducer
piezo-electric transducer having at least one curved surface, used for focusing the sound beam
3.1.4
electro-magnetic transducer (EMAT)
transducer which uses magnetostriction or Lorentz force

3.2   Sound propagation
3.2.1
phase velocity
velocity of the propagation of a wave front
3.2.2
near field
Fresnel zone
zone of the sound beam where sound pressure does not change monotonically with distance
because of interference
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 3.
3.2.3
near field length
distance from the transducer to the point where the near field point
3.2.4
near field point
position in an sound beam where the sound pressure on the beam axis reaches a final maximum
before far field
3.2.5
far field
zone of the sound beam that extends beyond the last pressure maximum of the beam axis
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 3.
3.2.6
group velocity
velocity of propagation of the acoustic energy
3.2.7
focal zone
focal range
zone in a sound beam of a probe in which the sound pressure remains above a defined level
related to its maximum
3.2.8
length of the focal zone
distance along the beam axis from the start to the end of the focal zone
3.2.9
width of the focal zone
dimension of the focal zone at focal distance perpendicular to the beam axis
3.2.10
focal length
focal distance
distance from the focal point to the probe
3.2.11
focal point
focus
point showing the maximum sound pressure at the greatest distance from the probe
3.2.12
sound field
three-dimensional pressure distribution produced by transmitted sound energy
3.2.13
sound velocity
velocity of propagation
phase or group velocity of a sound wave in a non-dispersive material depending on the direction
of propagation
3.2.14
sound beam
ultrasonic beam
part of the sound field within which the major part of the ultrasonic energy is transmitted
3.2.15
beam axis
line through the points of maximum sound pressure extended to the probe
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 3, 4 and 5.
3.2.16
beam profile
curve which shows the signal amplitude perpendicular to the beam axis at a stated distance from
the probe
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 6.
3.2.17
angle of divergence
angle within the far field between the beam axis and the beam edge
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 3 and 4.
3.2.18
beam boundary
boundary of the ultrasonic beam where the sound pressure has fallen to a given fraction of the
value on the beam axis, measured at the same distance from the probe
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 3, 4 and 5.
3.2.19
acoustical properties
characteristic parameters of a material which control the propagation of sound in the material
3.2.20
acoustically anisotropic material
material which has differing sound velocities in differing directions of propagation
3.2.21
beam width
dimension of the beam perpendicular to the beam axis at a defined distance from the probe

3.3   Loss of sound pressure

3.3.1
Attenuation
sound attenuation
decrease of sound pressure when a wave travels through a material, arising from absorption and
scattering
3.3.2
attenuation coefficient
coefficient used to express attenuation per unit of distance travelled, dependent on material
properties, wavelength and wave type
Note 1 to entry: The attenuation coefficient is usually expressed in dB/m.
3.3.3
scattering
random reflections caused by grain structure and/or by small reflectors in the beam path

3.4   Sound waves at interfaces

3.4.1
acoustical impedance
ratio of sound pressure to the particle displacement velocity
Note 1 to entry: In a material with perfect elastic properties for a plane longitudinal wave it is
equal to the product of sound velocity and density.
3.4.2
interface
boundary between two materials, in acoustic contact, having different acoustic impedances
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 7.
3.4.3
refraction
change of direction of sound propagation on passing obliquely through the interface between two
materials of differing ultrasonic velocities
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 7.
3.4.4
refractive index
ratio of the sound velocities between two materials
3.4.5
angle of incidence
angle between the direction of the incident wave and the normal to the interface
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 7.
3.4.6
angle of refraction
angle between the direction of the refracted wave and the normal to the interface
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 7.
3.4.7
critical angle
angle of incidence beyond which the angle of refraction is 90° for a defined wave type
Note 1 to entry: For longitudinal and transverse waves there are two different critical angles.
3.4.8
reflection
change of direction of a wave front at an interface between two dissimilar materials
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 7.
3.4.9
corner reflection
the reflection of an ultrasonic waves in a corner formed by two or three coincident, mutually
perpendicular surfaces
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 8.
3.4.10
edge effect
phenomenon resulting from the diffraction of an ultrasonic wave by the edges of a reflector
3.4.11
beam displacement
displacement of the beam due to reflection from a surface of a solid
Note 1 to entry: It mainly depends on frequency and angle.
Note 2 to entry: See Figure 9.
3.4.12
reflection coefficient
ratio of reflected sound pressure to incident sound pressure at a reflecting surface.
Note 1 to entry: The corresponding transmission coefficient is defined in 3.4.16
3.4.13
angle of reflection
angle between the reflected beam axis and the normal to the interface
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 7.
3.4.14
total reflection
reflection which occurs when the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angles or if the
reflection coefficient is unity
3.4.15
wave mode conversion
change of wave mode to another by refraction or reflection
3.4.16
acoustic shadow
region in an object which cannot be reached by ultrasonic waves travelling in a given direction
because of the geometry of the object or a discontinuity in it
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 10.
3.4.17
transmission coefficient
ratio of sound pressure transmitted through an interface to the incident sound pressure
Note 1 to entry: The corresponding reflection coefficient is defined in 3.4.11
3.4.18
beam angle
angle between the refracted beam axis and the normal to the interface for a particular probe
Note 1 to entry: See also angle of refraction, 3.4.4.

4   Terms related to the test equipment

4.1   Probe
4.1.1
Probe
electro acoustical device, usually incorporating one or more transducers and possibly a delay line
intended for transmission and/or reception of ultrasonic waves
4.1.2
single transducer probe
probe with a single transducer for the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves
4.1.3
multi transducer probe
probe with several separated transducers, which through switching permit the creation of certain
sound beam configurations
4.1.4
straight beam probe
normal beam probe
probe whose beam axis is perpendicular to the contact surface
4.1.5
focusing probe
probe which concentrates the sound beam by special devices (e.g. by shaped transducer, lens,
electronic means) to generate a focused beam
4.1.6
surface wave probe
probe generating and/or receiving surface waves
4.1.7
longitudinal wave probe
compression wave probe
probe generating and/or receiving longitudinal waves
4.1.8
immersion probe
probe generating and/or receiving longitudinal waves to be used in a liquid
4.1.9
wheel probe
probe generating and/or receiving longitudinal waves incorporating one or more transducers
mounted inside a liquid-filled flexible tyre
4.1.10
transverse wave probe
shear wave probe
probe generating and/or receiving transverse waves usually via mode conversion
4.1.11
dual-transducer probe
dual-element probe
probe in which the transmit and receive transducers are separate and are electrically and
acoustically isolated from each other
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 4.
4.1.12
contoured probe
probe having a contact surface which is shaped to fit the curved surface of an object
4.1.13
angle beam probe
probe generating a beam at an angle other than normal to the test surface
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 5.
4.1.14
variable angle probe
probe generating a beam at angles that can be changed
4.1.15
probe axis
geometrical reference axis through the probe index point on the scanning surface, serving as the
origin for angular coordinates used in describing the directional characteristics of a probe
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 11.
4.1.16
squint angle
<angle beam probe> angle between the probe axis and the projection of the beam axis on the test
surface
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 11.
4.1.17
probe index point
reference point on the housing of an angle beam probe showing where the sound beam exits and
enters the probe
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 5.
4.1.18
nominal angle of probe
quoted value of the refraction angle of a probe for a given material and temperature
4.1.19
wedge
Wedge-shaped component usually made of plastic material which causes an ultrasonic wave to
be refracted into the test object at a defined angle.
4.1.20
transducer backing
material coupled to the rear surface of a transducer to damp the transducer oscillation
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 3, 4 and 5.
4.1.21
delay path
path on the beam axis between transducer and point of entry into the test object
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 4 and 5
4.1.22
effective transducer size
reduced area of the mechanical size of the transducer that is determined from the measured focal
length and the determined wave length
4.1.23
nominal transducer size
physical size of the transducer
4.1.24
probe shoe
shaped piece of material which is interposed between the probe and the test object for the
purpose of improving the coupling and/or protecting the probe
4.1.25
wear plate
layer of protective material forming an integral part of the probe and separating the transducer
from direct contact with the test object
4.1.26
roof angle
angle between the normal of the probe axis and the transducer faces in a dual-transducer probe
4.1.27
convergence zone
zone at the intersection of the transmitting and receiving beams of a dual-transducer probe
4.1.28
composite transducer
plate consisting of piezo-electric ceramic rods embedded in a polymer matrix
4.1.29
delay line
delay block
component introduced to extend the delay path

4.2   Instrument
4.2.1
test equipment
equipment consisting of ultrasonic instrument, probes, cables and all devices connected to the
instrument during testing
4.2.2
ultrasonic instrument
instrument used together with the probe or probes, which transmits, receives, processes and
displays ultrasonic signals for non-destructive testing purposes
4.2.3
time corrected gain (TCG)
distance amplitude compensation
function of a device which changes the amplification of echoes from reflectors of equal size but
different distances and results in equal height of the echoes on the display
Note 1 to entry: Distance amplitude compensation shall not be confused with distance amplitude
curve (DAC) (see 5.7.6).
4.2.4
delayed time base sweep
time-base sweep triggered with a given delay – fixed or adjustable – in relation to the transmitter
pulse or a reference echo
4.2.5
time-base control
instrument control which is used to adjust the time base to a preselected distance
4.2.6
gain control
instrument control, normally calibrated in decibels (dB), with which a signal may be adjusted to
a given height
4.2.7
dynamic range
ratio of the amplitudes of the largest and smallest signal which an ultrasonic instrument can
display without distortion
Note 1 to entry: Dynamic range is usually expressed in decibels (dB).
4.2.8
suppression
reduction of noise indications by eliminating all indications below a predetermined amplitude
level (threshold value)
4.2.9
time base
abscissa of an A-scan calibrated in time or distance
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 17.
4.2.10
time base range
maximum ultrasonic path length that is displayed on a particular time base
4.2.11
gate
time gate
electronic means of selecting a segment of the time base for monitoring or further processing of
signals
4.2.12
monitor
component of an ultrasonic instrument which provides a gate within which the presence of
echoes above or below a defined level can be indicated
4.2.13
gate threshold
monitor level
defined amplitude level (threshold) above or below which echo signals in a gate are selected for
further processing
4.2.14
amplifier
electronic device which converts a small signal to a larger signal
Note 1 to entry: This could be a linear amplifier using a linear law or a logarithmic amplifier
using a logarithmic law.
4.2.15
analogue-to-digital converter
device which converts analogue signals into discrete numbers representing the pattern of the
signal
4.2.16
attenuator
electronic device which reduces the amplitude or power of a signal without distortion
4.2.17
digitisation error
inaccuracy introduced as a result of analogue-to-digital conversion
4.2.18
transmitter pulse
electrical pulse generated by the ultrasonic instrument for exciting the transducer
4.2.19
proportional gate
gate (window) which provides a proportional output of any signal that is received during the
period of the gate
Note 1 to entry: The output can be voltage or current.
4.2.20
receiver
electrical device which amplifies or converts signals coming from the ultrasonic probe into
usable signals
4.2.21
transmitter
electrical device which generates the transmitter pulses

4.3   Combined equipment
4.3.1
dead zone
zone directly under the coupling surface in which discontinuities are undetectable
Note 1 to entry: The depth of the zone is dependent on various factors, e. g. probe, instrument
setting, test object material.
4.3.2
detection sensitivity
characteristic of an ultrasonic system defined by the smallest detectable reflector
4.3.3
lateral resolution
capability of a system to resolve two separate targets at the same distance
4.3.4
axial resolution
capability of a system to resolve two separate targets at different distances
4.3.5
ultrasonic test system
UT system
electro-mechanical system which allows ultrasonic testing of an object

4.4   Calibration, reference and test blocks

4.4.1
calibration block
piece of material of specified composition, surface finish, heat treatment and geometric form, by
means of which ultrasonic equipment can be assessed and calibrated
Note 1 to entry: See e. g. ISO 2400 and ISO 7963.
4.4.2
reference block
block of material representative of the material under test with similar acoustic properties
containing well-defined reflectors, used to adjust the sensitivity and/or time–base of the
ultrasonic instrument in order to compare detected discontinuity indications with those arising
from the known reflectors
4.4.3
reference echo
echo from a prescribed reference reflector
Note 1 to entry: Example shown in Figure 20.
4.4.4
test block
defined piece of material which allows tests for the accuracy and or performance of an ultrasonic
test system
4.4.5
transfer correction
correction of the gain setting of the ultrasonic instrument when transferring the probe from a
calibration or reference block to the test object
Note 1 to entry: Transfer correction includes losses due to coupling, reflection and attenuation.

5   Terms related to ultrasonic testing

5.1    Testing techniques
5.1.1
multiple echo technique
technique in which repeated echoes from either the back surface or the discontinuity are used for
the evaluation of echo amplitude and sound path
Note 1 to entry: In order to evaluate the quality of a material or bonding, the amplitudes of
successive echoes are used.
Note 2 to entry: In order to increase the accuracy of a wall thickness (sound path) measurement,
a multiple echo of highest possible number is used.
5.1.2
through transmission technique
technique in which the quality of a material is assessed by transmitting ultrasonic waves through
the entire material, using a transmitter probe on one side of the object and a receiver probe on the
opposite side
5.1.3
synthetic aperture focusing technique
SAFT
technique to improve the quality of signals from a wide beamed non-focussed probe by
'synthesising' a narrow beam focussed probe using digital signal processing techniques
5.1.4
immersion technique
technique in which the test object and probe are immersed in liquid used as a coupling medium
and/or for beam refraction
Note 1 to entry: Immersion can be total or partial. Applications using a water jet or wheel probe
are also included.
5.1.5
pulse echo technique
technique in which an ultrasonic pulse is transmitted and any echo received by the same probe
before the next (successive) pulse is transmitted
5.1.6
time-of-flight diffraction technique (TOFD)
technique using the time-of-flight of diffracted signals from discontinuities in the test object
Note 1 to entry: A pair of angle-beam probes, one transmitting one receiving, is usually arranged
symmetrically to the area of interest.
5.1.7
scanning
displacement of the probe(s) relative to the test object
Note 1 to entry: Scanning can be done manually by the operator or automated using mechanised
device(s).
5.1.8
direct scanning
scanning in which a sound beam is directed into a region of a test object without intermediate
reflection
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 12.
5.1.9
indirect scanning
scanning using surface of a test object to direct a sound beam into a region by means of
reflection
5.1.10
tandem technique
scanning technique involving the use of two or more angle beam probes, usually having the same
angle, facing in the same direction and having their ultrasonic beam axes in the same plane
perpendicular to the surface of the test object, where one probe is used for transmission and the
other for reception
Note 1 to entry: The purpose of the technique is mainly to detect discontinuities perpendicular to
the test surface.
Note 2 to entry: See Figure 19.
5.1.11
contact technique
technique to test an object by means of an ultrasonic probe (or probes) in direct contact with it
5.1.12
gap technique
technique in which the probe is not in direct contact with the surface of the test object but is
coupled to it through a layer of liquid, not more than a few wavelengths thick
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 13.
5.1.13
orbital scanning
scanning in which an angle beam probe is used to obtain information about the form of a
discontinuity previously located, the scanning being made radially around the discontinuity
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 14.
5.1.14
swivel scanning
scanning using an angle beam probe involving rotation of the probe around an axis through the
index point perpendicular to the scanning surface
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 15.
5.1.15
spiral scanning
scanning of a disc-shaped object by means of radial displacement and simultaneous rotation
(spiral trace)
5.1.16
helical scanning
scanning of a cylindrical object by means of longitudinal displacement and simultaneous rotation
(helical trace)
5.1.17
sizing
estimation of the size of a discontinuity from its ultrasonic indications
5.1.18
acoustical holography
generation of 3D images of a test object by reconstructing information from the sound field
reflected from within the test object located in the sound field
5.1.19
acoustical imaging
generation of an image of an object by using ultrasound
5.1.20
acoustical tomography
generation of a 3D image of a test object from 2D acoustic images representing sections through
it
5.1.21
automated ultrasonic testing (AUT)
technique by which an object is tested by ultrasound using probes operating under mechanical
control and where ultrasonic data is collected automatically
Note 1 to entry: The data may also be analysed automatically against predetermined criteria
without human intervention.
5.1.22
flank-to-flank measurement
measurement of time difference between the similar edges (flanks) of two echoes - usually
defined as rising (leading) or falling (trailing) edge - at a specified amplitude
5.1.23
measurement modes
techniques by which the ultrasonic echo pulses are used for determination of thickness
5.1.24
peak-to-peak measurement
measurement of time difference between the maximum amplitudes of two echoes
5.1.25
loss of back reflection
significant reduction in the amplitude of the signal from the back surface of the part under test

5.2   Test object
5.2.1
test surface
scanning surface
that part of the surface of a test object over which a probe or probes is/are moved
5.2.2
test volume
volume of the test object which is covered by a test
5.2.3
scanning direction
direction of movement of a probe over the test surface
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 16.
5.2.4
probe orientation
angle maintained during scanning between a reference line and the projection of the beam axis
on to the test surface
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 16.
5.2.5
point of incidence
point on the test object where the sound beam enters the object
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 13.
5.2.6
receiving point
point on the test object where the reflected or transmitted sound beam can be received
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 19.
5.2.7
test area
defined area on the test object over which the tests are to be conducted

5.3   Coupling
5.3.1
coupling techniques
techniques by which ultrasound is transmitted (coupled) from the probe into the test object and
vice versa
5.3.2
acoustical impedance matching
adaptation of acoustical impedances of two coupled pieces of material, so as to provide optimum
transfer of ultrasound between them
5.3.3
Couplant
coupling medium
medium interposed between the probe and the test object to enable the passage of ultrasound
between them, such as water, glycerine or oil
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 13.
5.3.4
coupling losses
reduction of sound transmission across the interface between a probe and a test object
5.3.5
couplant path
distance in the coupling medium between the probe index point and the beam index point
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 13.

5.4   Reflectors
5.4.1
reflector
interface at which an ultrasonic beam encounters a change in acoustic impedance and at which at
least part of the ultrasound is reflected
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 17 and Figure 19.
5.4.2
reference reflector
reflector (natural or artificial) with known form, size and distance from the test surface in the
calibration block or reference block, which is used for calibration or assessment of detection
sensitivity
EXAMPLE:
Side-drilled holes, flat-bottomed holes, hemispherical-bottomed holes, notches.
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 20.
5.4.3
flat-bottomed hole (FBH)
disc-shaped reflector
borehole where the flat bottom acts as a disc-shaped reflector perpendicular to the beam axis
5.4.4
side-drilled hole (SDH)
cylindrical reflector
borehole perpendicular to the beam axis where the cylindrical surface acts as a reflector
5.4.5
hemispherical-bottomed hole
spherical-shaped reflector
borehole near parallel to the beam axis where the spherical bottom acts as a reflector

5.5   Signals and indications

5.5.1
transmission pulse indication
indication of the transmitter pulse on the display of the ultrasonic instrument
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 17.
5.5.2
echo
signal on the display of the instrument received from the test object
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 17.
Note 2 to entry: Depending on the test setup additional echoes may be received.
5.5.3
back wall echo
echo from the surface of the test object opposite to the probe which is perpendicular to the
ultrasonic beam axis
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 17.
5.5.4
surface echo
echo from the test surface, usually used in immersion testing or with contact testing using a delay
block
Note 1 to entry: See also interface echo.
5.5.5
side wall echo
echo from a surface of the test object other than the back and test surface
5.5.6
echo width
duration of an echo measured at a specified level
5.5.7
echo height
height of an echo indication on the screen
5.5.8
spurious echo
echo which is not associated with a discontinuity and is of no interest
5.5.9
cross talk
signal leakage across an intended acoustic or electric barrier
Note 1 to entry: An example of electrical cross talk is that between adjacent transmit and receive
channels of an ultrasonic instrument.
Note 2 to entry: An example of acoustical cross talk is that between probes or probe elements
(dual-element probe).
5.5.10
multiple echo
echo from repeated reflection of an ultrasonic pulse between two or more interfaces or
discontinuities
5.5.11
interface echo
echo from the interface between dissimilar materials
Note 1 to entry: Usually used for bonding evaluation.
5.5.12
ghost echo
phantom echo
echo originating from a transmitted pulse generated in a previous cycle
5.5.13
noise
undesired signals (electrical or acoustical) that tends to interfere with the reception,
interpretation, or processing of the desired signal
5.5.14
signal-to-noise ratio
ratio of the amplitude of an ultrasonic signal to the amplitude of the noise at approximately the
same location
5.5.15
transmission point
zero point
point on the time base which corresponds to the instant at which ultrasound enters the test object
5.5.16
expanded time base
scale expansion
zooming into a selected section of the set range which enables echoes within the thickness or
length of the test object to be displayed in greater detail on the screen
5.5.17
A-scan presentation
display of the ultrasonic signals in which the X axis represents time and the Y axis amplitude
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 17.
5.5.18
B-scan presentation
display of the ultrasonic signals in which one axis represents time and the other axis positions
along the scanning surface, where the amplitude of the signals is represented by colour or grey
shades
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 18.
5.5.19
C-scan presentation
display of the ultrasonic signals in which both axes represent positions on the scanning surface,
where the amplitude of the signals within a defined time window is represented by colour or grey
shades
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 18.
5.5.20
D-scan presentation
display of the ultrasonic signals in which both axes represent positions on the scanning surface,
where the time-of-flight of the signals within a defined time window is represented by colour or
grey shades
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 18.
5.5.21
F-scan presentation
display of the ultrasonic signals in which both axes represent positions on the scanning surface,
where an optional parameter of the signals, different from amplitude and time-of-flight, within a
defined time window is represented by colour or grey shades
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 18.
5.5.22
P-scan presentation
projection-view of scan presentations related to three orthogonal directions
Note 1 to entry: The evaluated parameter in the images is the amplitude of the signal.
Note 2 to entry: See Figure 21.
5.5.23
V-scan presentation
volume scan presentation
three-dimensional (spatial) representation of the results of the tested volume
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 22.
5.5.24
R.F. signal
radio frequency signal
unrectified signal
Note 1 to entry: In ultrasonic testing the term radio frequency is misleading, because no radio
frequencies are used.
5.5.25
display response
time it takes the display device to change from one display state to another
Note 1 to entry: The display response is limiting the scanning speed.
5.5.26
echo pattern
typical pattern displayed on the instrument of one or more echoes
Note 1 to entry: See ISO 23279.
5.5.27
echo dynamic pattern
envelope pattern generated by individual echoes displayed on the instrument when moving the
probe
Note 1 to entry: See ISO 23279.
5.5.28
echo static pattern
pattern of individual echoes displayed on the instrument when the probe is not moving
Note 1 to entry: See ISO 23279.
5.5.29
indication
any signal shown on the display of an ultrasonic instrument, which can be separated from noise,
surface and back wall echoes
5.5.30
linearity of time base
horizontal linearity
proportionality of the positions of signals on the time base of the ultrasonic instrument
5.5.31
Linearity of amplitude
vertical linearity
proportionality of the amplitude of signals on the vertical scale of the ultrasonic instrument
5.5.32
noise level
amplitudes of background noise in an ultrasonic system
5.5.33
zero crossing
time when the instantaneous amplitude of an unrectified signal reverses polarity

5.6   Location
5.6.1
sound path length
length of the path ultrasonic pulses travels within a test object
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 12.
5.6.2
projected path length
projection of the sound path length on the test surface
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 12.
5.6.3
sound path travel distance
total (round trip) distance a sound wave travels
5.6.4
sound path travel time
time it takes for the sound path travel distance
5.6.5
skip distance
full skip
distance on the test surface between the beam index point of an angle beam probe and the point
at which the beam axis impinges on the test surface after a single reflection at the opposite
surface
5.6.6
reflector depth
shortest distance from a reflector to the test surface
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 12.

5.7   Evaluation of indications
5.7.1
discontinuity sizing
methods of assessing the dimensions of a discontinuity
5.7.2
reflectivity
ratio of the echo amplitude from the reflector under assessment to the echo amplitude from a
reference reflector
5.7.3
reflection coefficient
ratio of total reflected sound pressure to incident sound pressure at a reflecting surface
5.7.4
directional reflectivity
variation in the echo amplitude from a reflector with change of incident angle
5.7.5
distance-gain-size diagram (DGS diagram)
series of curves which show the relationship between distance along a beam and gain in decibels
for an infinite reflector and different sizes of disc-shaped reflectors
5.7.6
distance amplitude curve (DAC)
reference curve constructed between the peak amplitude responses from identical reflectors at
different distances from the probe in the same material
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 20.
5.7.7
half-amplitude technique
6-dB-drop technique
technique of reflector size assessment (length, height and/or width) wherein the probe is moved
from a position showing maximum echo amplitude until the echo has decreased to half of this
value (by 6 dB)
Note 1 to entry: This technique can only be used for reflectors larger than the beam width in the
direction of movement.
5.7.8
20-dB-drop technique
technique of reflector size assessment (length, height and/or width) wherein the probe is moved
from a position showing maximum echo amplitude until the echo has decreased to one-tenth of
this value (by 20 dB)
5.7.9
reference level
level defined by the echo amplitude of a defined reference reflector
5.7.10
acceptance level
level defining limits for acceptance regarding echo height, position and number of echo
indications or size of discontinuities
5.7.11
registration level
recording level
level above (or below) which every echo has to be registered or recorded
5.7.12
reporting level
level above (or below) which every echo has to be reported
5.7.13
testing sensitivity
sensitivity setting which has to be used during the test
5.7.14
display level
optional minimum echo amplitude of indications which are displayed graphically in section or
projection views
5.7.15
evaluation level
level defining an echo amplitude above or below which indications have to be evaluated or
examined further
5.7.16
characterisation of an indication
to determine the position, size and shape of an indication
5.7.17
classification of an indication
to decide into which class an indication belongs
5.7.18
combined length of indications
accumulated length where indications are grouped