Evaluation of beryllium stiffening on zirconium plate using backscattered leaky Lamb waves

The ultrasonic backscattering profiles of the Zr plates with/without Be-Zr alloy layer were measured at various incidence positions to evaluate the embedded Be diffusion layer on the Zr plate. Four principal subprofiles of backward ultrasound radiated from leaky Lamb waves were observed. The angles and the intensities of the subprofile peaks decreased due to the stiffening effect of Be layer. The generation and change of subprofiles can be explained by the influence of acoustical properties, collective group velocities and leaky factors of plates. It is suggested that the backward radiation subprofile is an effective tool for the evaluation of thin diffusion layers on plates.