What is one advantage of PAUT over conventional ultrasonic testing?

One of the primary advantages of Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) is that a single probe can electronically sweep through a range of angles. This capability is made possible by the use of an array of elements in the probe that can be individually controlled. By adjusting the timing of the signals sent from each element, it allows for the creation of various sound beam angles and focal depths without physically moving the probe. This electronic steering of the sound beam enhances the flexibility of the inspection process, enabling it to cover larger areas and various orientation angles more efficiently than conventional ultrasonic testing methods, which typically require multiple probes or manual repositioning to achieve the same range of angles.

In contrast, while conventional ultrasonic testing is effective, it often relies on fixed angles and does not have the ability to focus or steer the beam in this dynamic, electronic manner, which limits its adaptability to different inspection scenarios.