{"title":"Structure-guided piezoelectric transducer for unidirectional excitation and reception of Rayleigh waves","authors":"Heming Guo , Gang Wang , Hongchen Miao","doi":"10.1016/j.ndteint.2025.103384","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rayleigh waves are crucial for nondestructive testing (NDT) of thick-walled structures. Unidirectional propagation of Rayleigh waves simplifies signal interpretation by minimizing unwanted reflections. Unidirectional Rayleigh waves are commonly generated using wedge transducers based on Snell's law. However, due to the large wave impedance difference between the wedge and the waveguide, there is a transmission loss at the interface. This work proposed a structure-guided transducer (SGT) for unidirectional excitation and reception of Rayleigh waves. The SGT consists of a wedge-shaped substrate and thickness-shear piezoelectric wafer. The substrate is fabricated using ferromagnetic material, which is impedance-matched to the steel structure for Rayleigh waves. The substrate facilitates the automatic control of the guided waves, guaranteeing the unidirectional capabilities of the SGT. Subsequent to the theoretical design, the performance of the SGT was assessed via finite element simulations and experiments. Results confirmed the generation of pure Rayleigh waves with a unidirectionality of approximately 13 dB. Moreover, the SGT can also act as a sensor to selectively capture Rayleigh waves from a specific direction, efficiently filtering out waves from other directions. The design of the SGT is both straightforward and conducive to manufacturing. It can prevent energy loss resulting from impedance mismatches between the wedge and the test structure. Additionally, the magnetic substrate of the SGT facilitates effortless attachment to steel structures, thereby simplifying installation and relocation. With these advantages, the SGT is highly likely to have substantial potential for applications in NDT.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18868,"journal":{"name":"Ndt & E International","volume":"154 ","pages":"Article 103384"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Ndt & E International","FirstCategoryId":"88","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963869525000659","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MATERIALS SCIENCE, CHARACTERIZATION & TESTING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Rayleigh waves are crucial for nondestructive testing (NDT) of thick-walled structures. Unidirectional propagation of Rayleigh waves simplifies signal interpretation by minimizing unwanted reflections. Unidirectional Rayleigh waves are commonly generated using wedge transducers based on Snell's law. However, due to the large wave impedance difference between the wedge and the waveguide, there is a transmission loss at the interface. This work proposed a structure-guided transducer (SGT) for unidirectional excitation and reception of Rayleigh waves. The SGT consists of a wedge-shaped substrate and thickness-shear piezoelectric wafer. The substrate is fabricated using ferromagnetic material, which is impedance-matched to the steel structure for Rayleigh waves. The substrate facilitates the automatic control of the guided waves, guaranteeing the unidirectional capabilities of the SGT. Subsequent to the theoretical design, the performance of the SGT was assessed via finite element simulations and experiments. Results confirmed the generation of pure Rayleigh waves with a unidirectionality of approximately 13 dB. Moreover, the SGT can also act as a sensor to selectively capture Rayleigh waves from a specific direction, efficiently filtering out waves from other directions. The design of the SGT is both straightforward and conducive to manufacturing. It can prevent energy loss resulting from impedance mismatches between the wedge and the test structure. Additionally, the magnetic substrate of the SGT facilitates effortless attachment to steel structures, thereby simplifying installation and relocation. With these advantages, the SGT is highly likely to have substantial potential for applications in NDT.
期刊介绍:
NDT&E international publishes peer-reviewed results of original research and development in all categories of the fields of nondestructive testing and evaluation including ultrasonics, electromagnetics, radiography, optical and thermal methods. In addition to traditional NDE topics, the emerging technology area of inspection of civil structures and materials is also emphasized. The journal publishes original papers on research and development of new inspection techniques and methods, as well as on novel and innovative applications of established methods. Papers on NDE sensors and their applications both for inspection and process control, as well as papers describing novel NDE systems for structural health monitoring and their performance in industrial settings are also considered. Other regular features include international news, new equipment and a calendar of forthcoming worldwide meetings. This journal is listed in Current Contents.