Engineering English
Ultrasonic Testing
Quality, Testing & Inspection · Materials Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A volumetric inspection method that sends high-frequency sound waves into a material and analyses the reflected echoes to locate internal discontinuities or measure remaining wall thickness.
Example in context
“Ultrasonic testing located a planar defect four millimetres below the fusion line, so the welder was asked to gouge and repair that section.”
“Ultrasonik muayene, ergime hattının dört milimetre altında düzlemsel bir kusur tespit etti; kaynakçıdan o bölümü oyup onarması istendi.”
Where engineers use it
Ultrasonic testing is used on thick welds, forgings, plate and corroded piping where radiography is impractical or unsafe. Engineers rely on it to size planar flaws such as cracks and lack of fusion and to monitor wall loss.
Synonyms: UT, Ultrasonic Examination
In Materials Engineering
A non-destructive method that sends high-frequency sound waves into a component and analyses the reflected echoes to locate internal discontinuities or measure wall thickness. Flaw depth is calculated from the travel time of the returning pulse.
“Ultrasonic testing detected a lack of fusion two millimetres below the weld cap, so the joint was ground out and rewelded.”
Practice: can you use “Ultrasonic Testing” at work?
A 40 mm thick steel plate weld must be examined without radiation permits. Describe how ultrasonic testing would be set up, calibrated and interpreted, and what flaw types it detects best.
Show a model answer
“Ultrasonic testing detects internal flaws by reading reflected sound echoes.”
“Ultrasonic Testing” in 21 languages
| English | Ultrasonic Testing |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Ultrasonik Muayene |
| French | Contrôle par ultrasons |
| German | Ultraschallprüfung |
| Spanish | Ensayo por ultrasonidos |
| Chinese | 超声检测 |
| Arabic | الاختبار بالموجات فوق الصوتية |
| Portuguese | Ensaio por ultrassom |
| Russian | Ультразвуковой контроль |
| Japanese | 超音波探傷試験 |
| Italian | Controllo ultrasonoro |
| Vietnamese | Kiểm tra siêu âm |
| Hindi | अल्ट्रासोनिक परीक्षण |
| Thai | การทดสอบด้วยคลื่นเสียงความถี่สูง |
| Indonesian | Uji ultrasonik |
| Korean | 초음파 탐상 검사 |
| Bengali | আল্ট্রাসনিক পরীক্ষা |
| Dutch | Ultrasoon onderzoek |
| Swedish | Ultraljudsprovning |
| Finnish | Ultraäänitarkastus |
| Ukrainian | Ультразвуковий контроль |
Frequently asked questions
What does Ultrasonic Testing mean in engineering?
A volumetric inspection method that sends high-frequency sound waves into a material and analyses the reflected echoes to locate internal discontinuities or measure remaining wall thickness. In Quality, Testing & Inspection, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Ultrasonic Testing?
Ultrasonic Testing is pronounced /ˌʌltrəˈsɒnɪk ˈtɛstɪŋ/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Ultrasonic Testing used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “Ultrasonic testing located a planar defect four millimetres below the fusion line, so the welder was asked to gouge and repair that section.”
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