Ultrasonic Processing Methodologies with Alternative Thickness Computation for Massive Corrosion Mapping Tests

Large scale Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) has been used in the industry in the last years with increasing field of application. The size and scope of such tests renders the use of computers, dedicated software and heavy post-processing necessary even for plain thickness mapping for material loss due to corrosion and erosion in metals. Massive tests with millions of measured points on large structures are commonplace. In the present work the conditions affecting the AUT data are discussed which are more complex and varying for such tests. The present work describes new methodologies for corrosion mapping data management and treatment with emphasis in heavy post-processing and the use of filtering concepts for data validity decisions migrated from other Non Destructive Testing (NDT) Methods. In addition to that, presents alternate methodologies for the measurement of thickness and degree of deterioration in poor and varying surface conditions. The application of such techniques to actual tests is discussed along with the relative advantages in various aspects of its application.