The German Society for Non-Destructive (DGZfP) has published the “ACUT Guideline: A Guide to Performing Air-Coupled Ultrasonic Testing“. The document was developed by the DGZfP Ultrasonic Testing Committee, Subcommittee on Air-Coupled Ultrasonic Testing (ACUT). Martin Fuchs, development engineer at SONOTEC GmbH, was actively involved in its creation.
The guideline provides a comprehensive introduction to non-contact ultrasonic testing and has been available for free download since January 2025.
Air-Coupled Ultrasonic Testing – Contactless & Efficient
Air-coupled ultrasonic testing (ACUT) is a non-destructive testing method that utilizes ultrasound waves transmitted through air. This technique enables material inspection without direct contact or coupling media, making it particularly suitable for sensitive, porous, or hard-to-reach materials such as composites, wood, foams, and ceramics.
Key Topics Covered in the Guideline
- Fundamentals of ACUT
- Requirements for Testing Systems
- Testing Methods & Application Areas
- Data Evaluation & Interpretation
Martin Fuchs, an expert in air-coupled ultrasonic testing systems at SONOTEC, contributed his extensive experience to the development of the guideline: “ACUT demonstrates its strengths in areas where conventional contact-based ultrasonic testing is not feasible. Our goal with this guideline was to create a well-founded, practical document that facilitates the introduction to ACUT and optimizes existing processes.“
Guideline Now Available for Free
The guideline is now available in German for free download on the DGZfP website: https://www.dgzfp.de/leitfaden-zur-durchfuehrung-von-luftgekoppelter-ultraschallpruefung/
