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 German guideline is now available for free download on the DGZfP website: https://www.dgzfp.de/leitfaden-zur-durchfuehrung-von-luftgekoppelter-ultraschallpruefung/