Integration of Piezoelectric Wafer Sensors PWS Signal to Generate Ultrasonic Guided Waves in Planar and Cylindrical Waveguide

This paper explores the integration of piezoelectric wafers as both generators and receivers of ultrasonic-guided waves in planar and cylindrical waveguides. To this end, a ceramic Piezoelectric single crystal (PZT) generates mechanical waves in the structure. The experimental setup is thoroughly described, and the emitted signals are compared with those from two ultrasonic transducers to ensure signal integrity. A 1D Fast Fourier transform is utilized to monitor the resonant frequency of the generated waves. The study focuses on two types of waveguides: a multi-layer fiberglass composite plate [0° 90°]6 and a single-layer stainless steel pipeline. For each structure, a specific layout of PZT wafers is established to analyze the propagation of guided ultrasonic waves. The results show that PZT wafers effectively generated guided wave modes, allowing for the inspection of structural integrity in both the composite plate and pipeline. Notably, the signals were captured without any loss of information, highlighting the advantages of PZT wafers, including their consistent vibration frequency, simple use, and excellent contact with both flat and curved surfaces. This demonstrates the potential of PWS technology for reliable non-destructive testing in complex structures.