Longitudinal mode magnetostrictive patch transducer array employing a multi-splitting meander coil for pipe inspection

• The proposed two-layer MSMC made of FPC can generate high-power waves.
• The proposed MPTs array can generate and receive L(0,2) mode in pipes.
• Pipe defect detection and localization were realized with the proposed MPTs array.
• The frequency response of the array is related to MSMC.

Recently, a magnetostrictive patch transducer (MPT) by means of the highly magnetostrictive (such as nickel or iron–cobalt alloy) patch attached on the specimen has been applied in nondestructive ultrasonic testing in waveguides. In the study, we proposed a new MPTs array employing a multi-splitting meander coil (MSMC) for generating and receiving longitudinal guided waves in pipes. In the suggested configuration, the directions of the static magnetic field produced by the permanent magnets and the dynamic magnetic field produced by the MSMC are in the axial direction of the pipe. Two finite element models were established to simulate the distribution of the static and dynamic magnetic fields in the patch, respectively. The proposed MSMC was made of flexible printed circuit (FPC), so it could be easily installed on pipe surface. The performance of the proposed MPTs array was experimentally studied. Firstly, it was experimentally verified that the axisymmetric longitudinal guided wave mode, L(0,2), could be effectively generated and received in pipes with the developed MSMC-MPTs array. Secondly, the frequency response characteristics of the developed MSMC-MPTs array were related to D (the distance between adjacent belts of the MSMC). Thirdly, we demonstrated the ability of the developed MSMC-MPTs array for the identification and location of a crack defect in pipes. Finally, we compared the performances of the MSMC-MPTs array and conventional meander coil-MPTs and proved that the signals of the longitudinal guided wave mode could be enhanced by using the developed MSMC-MPTs array.