Ultraspec is a novel system for Ultrasonic Spectroscopy developed by the Southern Research Institute and licensed by Sonatest.

It has unique capabilities to address otherwise impractical inspection applications such as multi-layer bonded structures and quantification of porosity or surface roughness from early corrosion activity.

Ultraspec uses a continuous swept-frequency input signal, which can cover a wide range of frequencies without compromising energy. This results in a greatly improved signal to noise ratio, allowing the frequency range to be optimized for the application and the amplitude to be adjusted with frequency to ‘normalize’ the transducer response. This permits ‘standard’ transducers to be used, rather than requiring very highly-damped low-efficiency types.

A dual Fourier-Transform signal analysis of the received signal allows resonances associated with individual parts of a structure to be identified. Ultraspec is primarily used in research applications. These include measurement of bond quality and ‘kissing’ bonds, in metallic and composite structures, as well as monitoring of corrosion due to breakdown of protective coatings, allowing repair of coatings before metal replacement is required.