Can Soldered Joints be Ultrasonically Tested?

It is "unknown at this address". Some specification! Just what is this ultrasound supposed to detect?

Actually what for? A look at solder joint tells all you need because of the shape of solder. If solder wet the wire it looks like it should either wise it looks like a little ball. Why bother with ultrasound?

send more data like the solder drawing . the UT can made for other geometry not only for butt weld you can send the drawing and the apllicaple places to put the prope.

Since the '50s , there has been more research and development of Techniques & Procedures for ultrasonic testing than for any other Method of nondestructive testing.

Literally thousands of different transducers are available (with more being developed all the time) because that is the "Starting Point" (more often than not) for beginning to set-up the test system for any particular application. Having the right diameter, frequency, and damping qualities (among others) is crucial to being able to detect the discontinuities of interest, or concern. Likewise, your application might benefit from the use of either phased-array equipment or focused-beam immersion testing.

Unless someone has already produced a viable ("qualified") Procedure for testing the items that require your attention, you will need to approach THAT first (see my post, #3, HERE).

I'll have a look-see at the ASTM Standards (Vol 3.03) to see if there is one for soldered copper tubing ... I don't believe there is yet. However, I know one exists for the tubing itself, and, if you aren't familiar with THAT one, you aren't ready to start on a Procedure for the JOINTS thereon.

As mentioned by an earlier post, you haven't provided *all* the data necessary to help you any further (see also my post, #3, at THIS thread). What are the diameters and wall thicknesses of your tubing(s)...?

What will be the "permissible" size of inclusion (or pore) in the solder of the joints? Or, the permissible size of areas exhibiting insufficiently bond...?

Is there a "Soldering Specification" (i.e., preparation standard, solder material standard, flux standard, temperature spec, etc...?). Will anyone be assigned responsibility for insuring adherance to that Standard/Spec prior to the testing of the joints?

You have lots of work ahead of you...

Here's wishing you success ~

Hi Guest, Are you talking about silver solder or lead-antimony solder?

And yes, you can use ultra sonic testing on any type of solders, the reason being that they are looking for stress cracks and poor joining, this is very important in an environment where there is a lot of high frequency vibrations!

Xanasax