Rayleigh-Wave-Attenuation Measurements

Abstract

An experimental method has been developed for measuring attenuation of Rayleigh waves propagating in metal plates. Rayleigh waves are generated at one end of a plate using either a y-cut crystal or an x-cut crystal mounted on a Lucite wedge. The waves propagate along the plate, the lower part of which is immersed in water. Mode conversion occurs at the water-plate interface, and the resulting compressional wave is detected by an x-cut quartz crystal. The path length of the Rayleigh wave in the plate is varied by changing the plate position relative to the water level. Attenuation data are presented for several common metals, and the effect of heat treatment on attenuation in steel samples is discussed. The attenuation produced by several machined slots of different geometries is also shown. [This research was sponsored in part by Aeronautical Systems Division, U. S. Air Force.]