UT-I
Ultrasonic Immersion
Immersion scanning for precise, repeatable inspection of complex and high-value components.
- Method code
- UT immersion
- Materials
- Metals and composites
- Product forms
- Billet, bar, discs, panels, small components
- Standards
- ASTM E214, AMS-STD-2154
Immersion testing puts the part and the probe in water, which removes the variability of hand scanning and produces a recorded, repeatable result across the whole component.
How it works
The component is submerged in a tank, with the water acting as the couplant and holding the probe at a fixed standoff from the surface. A manipulator moves the probe along a programmed path, so the angle of incidence and the distance to the part stay constant throughout the scan. Data is captured at every position and presented as a C-scan, a plan view of the component in which indications appear where they actually lie.
What it detects
Internal discontinuities at higher sensitivity than contact scanning can reliably achieve, and with far better repeatability between parts: inclusions and porosity in wrought and cast material, laminations, and disbonds and delaminations in composite panels.
Typical applications
Aerospace forgings and billet, rotating engine components where the acceptance standard is demanding, composite panels, and production batches where every part must be inspected to the same standard and the record compared across the batch.
Sectors this method is used in
Other testing methods
Aircraft on the ground
Rapid Aircraft on Ground response to keep your aircraft safe and your operation moving.
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Magnetic Particle Inspection
Reveals surface and near-surface defects in ferromagnetic parts using magnetic fields and fine particles.
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Dye Penetrant Testing
Highlights surface-breaking flaws on non-porous materials using a penetrating dye and developer.
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Ultrasonic Inspection
Uses high-frequency sound waves to detect internal flaws and measure material thickness.
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Where to next
Approvals
The approvals we hold for NDT inspection on all aircraft types, materials and structures.
Find out moreServices
The full range of non-destructive testing methods we carry out, in the laboratory and on site.
Find out moreIndustries
The sectors we test for, from aerospace to petro-chemical and industrial.
Find out moreContact
Speak to the sales team, or reach any of our offices 24 hours a day for AOG support.
Find out more
Ready when you are
Talk to our inspection team
Tell us what needs inspecting and we will tell you how we would approach it, what it will cost and how quickly we can be there. No obligation, and you speak to an engineer rather than a call centre.
Aircraft on ground? The AOG line is answered around the clock, every day of the year.
