Mirror-shadow method of ultrasonic testing of the railroad wheelset axles using the electromagnetic-acoustic method of wave generation and reception

Abstract

The amplitude of the received signals during the ultrasonic testing of the railroad wheelset axles using the mirror-shadow method is significantly influenced by the quality of contact of the piezoelectric transducer with the cylindrical surface of the test object compared with the testing of objects with flat surfaces. The key reasons influencing the results of testing are the condition of the entry surface, its curvature, as well as the application force of the piezoelectric transducer. When using electromagnetic-acoustic transducers, the requirements for surface quality are significantly lower, which reduces the probability of errors associated with the quality of contact on a cylindrical surface during acceptance ultrasonic testing by the mirror-shadow method of the railroad wheelset axles after manufacture and repair.