New German guidelines to wall thickness measurement -
will be available in English

The measurement of wall thickness of components belongs to the most important areas of ultrasonic examination. The measurements form an important part of the quality assurance during manufacture of products and during the service of plants and equipment of high safety classes.
The measurements are performed by means of many different types of instruments and by different groups of personnel. Traditionally, wall thickness measurements have been considered to be quite simple and requiring neither sophisticated equipment nor high qualifications of the personnel. Often, the measurements are carried out with digital instruments with digital displays which do not offer the operator information about the real measurement; a fact which has resulted in many useless measurements and lack of confidence in the ultrasonic method.

It is, however, most important that the wall thickness measurements are carried out with careful selection of measurement technique, instruments and scanning pattern if the results are to fulfil the requirements of measurement accuracy, probability of detection and economical performance High costs and safety risks may be involved if failures are not detected in an early stage.

The German Society for Non-Destructive Testing (DGZfP) has now published 'Guidelines for Thickness Measurement with Ultrasound' which introduces the reader to the subject with a series of different techniques and examples of applications. The 137-page book contains a large number of illustrations and extensive explanations. It is written in a way which should assure it a place on the desk of highly qualified NDT technicians as well as service personnel at many plants where thickness measurements are performed. The book is published in German for the moment, but will be available in English in October.

Further information contact: DGZfP, Motard Strasse 54, D-13629 Berlin, Germany.
Tel: +(49) 30 386 29910; E-mail: mail@dgzfp.de