PAUT on Plastics & Polymers: reliability through tailored inspection strategies

PAUT is increasingly used on selected plastic and polymer applications, particularly piping systems where fusion weld integrity is critical. However, unlike metals, plastics require carefully adapted ultrasonic approaches.

Where PAUT is applicable

PAUT is mainly applied on HDPE and similar thermoplastic pipes used in gas, water and nuclear auxiliary systems. These applications benefit from controlled geometries and standardized joint types.

Inspection challenges in polymers

High attenuation, scattering and temperature sensitivity strongly affect ultrasonic propagation. As a result, frequency selection, coupling and calibration must be tightly controlled.

Procedure qualification as a prerequisite

Reliable PAUT on plastics requires material-specific qualification, including calibration blocks and defined inspection conditions. Procedures rarely transfer directly between different polymers or geometries.

Conclusion

PAUT is effective on plastics where procedures are validated and inspection conditions controlled. When applied correctly, it provides reliable detection and sizing of fusion defects and wall damage.