The use of the ultrasound measurement technique for the evaluation of mechanical properties of the ASTM A36 steels

Abstract

This work presents a study about the correlations between the characteristics of the acoustic waves and the mechanical properties of low carbon hot rolled steel bars, through the comparison between the wave velocity or attenuation and the tensile strength, yield point or elongation of the material. The aim is the possibility of using this technique to predict the production quality of ASTM A36 steels. Acoustic velocity and attenuation measurements by gain acquisition were carried out with the use of longitudinal waves and transducers of 5 and 15 MHz. Samples of hot rolled reinforcement steel bars with one inch diameter were used. A metallographic study of grain size and inclusion content was made along with chemical composition to verify the influence of these factors to the acoustic measurements. Results indicated that it is possible to use the presented methodology to estimate the mechanical properties, in especial, the tensile strength in steel rebars.