Sonatest — X0AW-N60S-IHC Ultrasonic Wedge

60° Shear-Wave Wedge, 39° Cut Angle, 0 mm Delay Line, for Compatible X0 Transducers
SKU: X0AW-001-IH

Overview

The Sonatest X0AW-N60S-IHC is a 60-degree shear-wave ultrasonic wedge designed for angle-beam ultrasonic testing with compatible X0-series transducers.

Its acoustic geometry is specified for a nominal 60° refracted shear-wave angle in steel, using a 39° physical cut angle. This configuration allows ultrasonic energy to enter the test material at an angle, supporting weld examination, crack detection, structural inspection, and other applications where discontinuities may not be favorably oriented for straight-beam testing.

The wedge is specified with a 0 mm delay line, providing the intended X0-series acoustic configuration without an additional delay-line section. SKU X0AW-001-IH is suitable for professional ultrasonic inspection in fabrication, welding, maintenance, manufacturing, and industrial QA/QC environments.

What's Included

Note: Ultrasonic transducer, flaw detector, couplant, mounting hardware, calibration blocks, and other accessories are not included unless specified separately.

Box Dimensions & Shipping Weight (Estimated)

Actual shipping dimensions and weight may vary according to packaging and supplied mounting hardware.

Key Specifications

Inspection Configuration

The stated 60° angle is referenced to steel. Actual refracted angle can vary when the wedge is used on materials with different acoustic velocities.

Performance Features

60° Shear-Wave Configuration
Provides a nominal 60-degree refracted shear-wave sound path in steel for conventional angle-beam ultrasonic inspection.

39° Physical Cut Angle
The wedge geometry is machined to a 39-degree cut angle to generate the specified shear-wave behavior when used in the intended configuration.

0 mm Delay Line
Specified without an additional delay-line section, maintaining the intended X0 wedge geometry and acoustic path.

Designed for X0-Series Probes
Configured for use with compatible Sonatest X0 ultrasonic transducers.

Weld Inspection Capability
Supports examination of weld volumes, fusion zones, and adjacent base material where directional ultrasonic coverage is required.

Reusable Inspection Accessory
Can be used repeatedly when the contact surface, mounting surfaces, and acoustic interfaces remain in suitable condition.

Advantages of a 60° Shear-Wave Wedge

A 60-degree shear-wave configuration can provide useful sound paths for many industrial inspections.

Potential benefits include:

• Directional examination of weld volumes

• Evaluation of weld fusion zones

• Detection of planar discontinuities

• Inspection of defects not favorably oriented to straight-beam sound

• Useful coverage of weld roots and sidewalls depending on geometry

• Support for multi-angle inspection procedures

• Practical use in structural steel inspection

• Compatibility with conventional pulse-echo flaw detection

The correct wedge angle should always be selected according to component thickness, weld geometry, material, inspection code, and written procedure.

User-Friendly Design

• Fixed 60° shear-wave configuration

• Clearly defined 39° cut angle

• 0 mm delay-line specification

• Designed for compatible X0 transducers

• Suitable for field and shop inspection

• Supports repeatable angle-beam setups

• Compact accessory for portable ultrasonic equipment

• Suitable for manual weld scanning

• Supports conventional calibration procedures

Built for Industrial Inspection

• Designed for professional ultrasonic testing

• Suitable for fabrication and welding QA/QC

• Practical for structural and maintenance inspections

• Supports field and laboratory UT workflows

• Useful for conventional flaw-detection procedures

• Suitable for repeated manual scanning

• Can be incorporated into documented inspection procedures

• Intended for use with proper calibration and ultrasonic couplant

Compatibility

Compatible with:

• Appropriate Sonatest X0-series transducers

• Compatible ultrasonic flaw detectors

• Conventional pulse-echo angle-beam systems

• Suitable ultrasonic couplants

• IIW and other applicable calibration blocks

• Weld-inspection procedures

• Carbon steel and other suitable materials

• Field and laboratory ultrasonic-testing programs

Transducer fit, mounting hardware, frequency, material, required refracted angle, and instrument compatibility should be confirmed before ordering.

Ideal Applications

• Weld inspection

• Structural weld evaluation

• Fabrication QA/QC

• Pressure-vessel inspection

• Pipeline weld inspection

• Storage-tank weld inspection

• Structural steel inspection

• Machinery-component evaluation

• Maintenance inspection

• Crack detection

• Lack-of-fusion evaluation

• Weld-zone examination

• Angle-beam flaw detection

• Field ultrasonic testing

• Industrial quality control

Typical Discontinuities Evaluated

When used with a properly calibrated ultrasonic system, the X0AW-N60S-IHC can support evaluation of discontinuities such as:

• Cracks

• Lack of fusion

• Incomplete penetration

• Slag inclusions

• Planar reflectors

• Weld-related discontinuities

• Service-induced cracking

• Other internal reflectors favorably oriented to the 60° sound beam

Detectability depends on flaw size, orientation, depth, material properties, probe frequency, sound path, and inspection technique.

Inspection Guidelines

• Verify compatibility between the wedge and X0 transducer

• Inspect the contact surface before use

• Mount the transducer securely to the wedge

• Apply coupling material between interfaces when required

• Apply suitable ultrasonic couplant to the inspection surface

• Calibrate wedge delay, range, and sensitivity

• Verify the probe index or exit point when required

• Confirm the refracted angle using an appropriate reference block

• Position and scan the wedge according to the written procedure

• Record relevant indications and sound-path information

• Recheck calibration periodically during inspection

Angle and Material Considerations

The nominal 60° shear-wave angle is specified for steel.

When used on another material:

• The refracted angle may change

• Material sound velocity should be considered

• Calibration should be performed on an appropriate reference block

• Actual beam behavior should be verified before inspection

• Sound path calculations should use the properties of the test material

• Acceptance criteria should follow the governing inspection procedure

The physical 39° wedge cut angle should not be interpreted as the ultrasonic refracted angle inside the steel component.

Wedge Wear and Calibration

Wedge wear can affect the sound entry point, wedge delay, refracted angle, and inspection accuracy.

For reliable operation:

• Inspect the contact surface regularly

• Keep the wedge face clean

• Avoid excessive abrasion

• Verify wedge delay periodically

• Confirm the exit point when required

• Recheck the refracted angle as appropriate

• Recalibrate after replacing the wedge

• Replace heavily worn or damaged wedges

• Avoid unauthorized grinding or reshaping

• Protect the wedge from excessive heat unless specifically approved for such use

Care and Handling

• Avoid dropping or striking the wedge

• Keep coupling surfaces clean

• Remove couplant after inspection

• Inspect mounting surfaces for damage

• Protect the contact face from scratches

• Do not modify the 39° cut geometry

• Store in a clean, dry location

• Keep protected during transportation

• Verify transducer fit before inspection

• Replace the wedge if wear affects calibration or sound transmission

About Sonatest

Sonatest develops ultrasonic flaw detectors, phased-array systems, transducers, wedges, scanners, and related accessories for professional non-destructive testing. Its products support weld inspection, fabrication, manufacturing, maintenance, structural evaluation, asset integrity, and industrial quality-control applications.