B-Scan
A B-scan is a cross-sectional ultrasonic display showing depth (vertical) versus probe position along the scan axis (horizontal), with signal amplitude encoded as brightness or color, used for thickness profiling and corrosion mapping.
Definition
A B-scan produces a side view of the test piece by collecting A-scans as the probe moves along a scan line and plotting depth vertically and position horizontally. The amplitude at each (depth, position) point is shown as brightness or color.
Technical Context
B-scans are heavily used for thickness mapping and corrosion profile imaging. They are sometimes confused with the cross-sectional view produced by TOFD.
When It Is Used
- Wall thickness profiling of vessels and tanks
- Corrosion mapping
- Quick weld profile visualization
Related terms
- A-Scan — An A-scan is the basic ultrasonic display showing signal amplitude (vertical axis) versus time-of-flight (horizontal axis) from a single transducer position, used to identify, size, and locate reflectors.
- C-Scan — A C-scan is a plan-view ultrasonic display showing peak signal amplitude (color-coded) at every (X, Y) probe position across the inspected surface, producing a top-down map of internal flaws or wall loss.
- Ultrasonic Testing (UT) — Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is an NDT method that uses high-frequency sound waves (typically 0.5–25 MHz) to detect internal flaws and measure thickness in metals, plastics, and composites by analyzing reflected echoes from a transducer.
More data terms
D-Scan · S-Scan · L-Scan · Distance-Amplitude Correction · Distance-Gain-Size · Time-Corrected Gain · Gating · Decibel · Indication · False Indication
Where this comes up in practice
Terms like this one appear in three places that matter commercially: the written practice that governs how your personnel are qualified, the procedures and technique sheets that define how an examination is actually performed, and the evidence an auditor or client asks for when they want to know why an inspection was accepted. Getting the terminology right is the easy part; being able to produce the qualification record, the calibration traceability and the procedure revision that applied on the day of the inspection is the part that decides audits.
Atlantis NDT provides NDT training and certification against ASNT SNT-TC-1A and ISO 9712, ASNT Level III consulting for written practices and procedure approval, inspection management software that holds qualification, calibration and procedure-revision evidence in recoverable form, and an asset integrity platform that binds inspection results to the asset they describe. Browse the full NDT glossary or ask a Level III directly.