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Ultrasonic probes for non destructive testing, industrial measurement, energy and environmental applications
AFC/O/F-2003/04

 

 

 

Abstract
A French SME has developed specialised know-how and original technological processes based on the concept of piezoelectric composites with a ceramic-polymer structure for the production of ultrasonic probes. The company is able to develop high-performance and innovative solutions for a wide range of industrial applications such as non destructive testing, industrial measurement, energy and environmental monitoring applications. The company proposes manufacturing and marketing agreements.

 

 

 

Description
This French SME has built an expertise in the design and manufacture of ultrasonic probes and transducers for applications in medicine, industry and environment.
It has developed new ultrasonic probes based on the concept of piezoelectric composites for many industrial applications requiring:
- automated inspection of various pieces and materials,
- variable angles and sound path,
- difficult access for the probes (reduced space or complex geometry),
- inspection of thick pieces or non homogeneous materials inspection,
- adaptation to environmental constraints.
The piezoelectric composite technology with a 1-3 ceramic-polymer structure is arranged in microstructures which geometry and components directly impacts the performance. The microstructure of the material is defined so that all the waves subject to excitation could have a wavelength higher than the microstructure itself. If this condition is respected, the piezo-composites material behaves like a homogeneous material in a frequency range from 200 kHz to more than 20 MHz.
This allow high performance and innovative solutions with a great flexibility :
- for the creation of phased array transducers (linear, annular, matrix,....)
- to have large range of active surface shaping for direct beam steering or focusing (spherical, cylindrical, conical or aspherical surfaces)
with wide bandwith and able to withstand high temperatures - up to 250°C.
These probes are suitable for non destructive testing (power generation, aeronautics, railways, automotive industry, petrochemical, metallurgy), industrial measurement (liquid and gas flow, thickness and distance measurement), energy and environmental applications (sonochemistry, geological applications, underwater applications, imaging).

Innovative Aspects:
The innovative aspects for these probes are provided by the physical properties of piezo-electric composite elements :
- adapted direct focusing,
- high compatibility with phased array probes,
- high sensitivity,
- large bandwith,
- reliability (stability and reproducibility of the performances, mechanical and thermal resistance).

Main Advantages:
These probes offer
- great flexibility (access, geometry, etc.) with regards to inspection methods
- efficiency and precision higher than conventional probes
- adaptability to harsh environment.

 

 

 

Current Stage of Development: Available for demonstration

 

 

 

Intellectual Property Rights: Secret know-how

Collaboration details
- Technical Co-operation, Commercial Agreement with Technical Assistance, Manufacturing agreement (Subcontracting & Co-contracting)
- Type of partner sought: industry, research organisations
- Specific area of activity of the partner: device manufacturers / research organisations
- Task to be performed: manufacturing complete instrumentation with integrated probes

 For more information
 Anne-Marie VIEUX

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