ULTRASONIC INSPECTION OF COMPOSITE INSULATOR

A method for detecting the cracks in the cross-sections of composite insulators using the incident longitudinal waves at critical angle was presented. The method could be applied to determining the size and expansion velocity of the cracks induced by the imitated breakdown of core rod under laboratorial condition to evaluate the quality of insulators and bearing capacity of some other materials, thus researching on the possible internal defects and their developing mechanism. Ultrasonic testing theoretical basis was described and the experimental results given showed the feasibility of the method for detecting the cracks in composite insulator cores.