Advantages of Compound S-scan over Sectorial Scan or E-scan: A Case Study

Abstract

Within PAUT, inspectors have the option to apply various scanning techniques for performing weld inspections according to their configurations. These include the sectorial scan (S-scan) or a fixed-angle electronic scan (E-scan), or a combination of both called a compound S-scan. Compound S-scan, introduced around 2015 (Magruder 2016), has not been much explored, as not enough data can be extracted from the available resources to determine its effectiveness for inspection. Therefore, the author has taken a specific interest in studying this technique by comparing the available PAUT scanning techniques and providing options for selecting the most appropriate scanning techniques for the intended applications. For this purpose, a 25 mm thick welder qualification test plate with natural defects (verified by RT) was studied.