Sonatest — X0AW-N55S-IHC Ultrasonic Wedge

55° Shear-Wave Wedge, 39° Cut Angle, 0 mm Delay Line, 6 in AOD, for Compatible X0 Transducers
SKU: X0AW-002-6

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Overview

The Sonatest X0AW-N55S-IHC is a 55-degree shear-wave ultrasonic wedge designed for angle-beam ultrasonic testing with compatible X0-series transducers.

Its acoustic geometry is specified for a nominal 55° refracted shear-wave angle in steel using a 39° physical cut angle. The wedge is also configured for a 6 in AOD (Axial Outside Diameter) application, making it suitable for inspections where the probe must conform to or be used on a cylindrical outside surface with approximately 6 in diameter.

With a 0 mm delay line, the wedge maintains the intended X0 acoustic configuration without an additional delay section. SKU X0AW-002-6 is intended for professional weld inspection, flaw detection, piping inspection, fabrication QA/QC, maintenance, and other industrial ultrasonic testing applications.

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What's Included

Item	Details
Ultrasonic Wedge	Sonatest X0AW-N55S-IHC
Wedge Series	X0
Wave Type	S — Shear Wave
Nominal Refracted Angle in Steel	55°
Physical Cut Angle	39°
Delay Line	0 mm
AOD	6 in
Compatible Probe Type	Compatible X0-series transducers
Primary Application	Angle-beam ultrasonic inspection
Inspection Method	Ultrasonic Testing / UT
Manufacturer	Sonatest
SKU	X0AW-002-6

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

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Box Dimensions & Shipping Weight (Estimated)

Parameter	Imperial
Length	6.0 in
Width	4.0 in
Height	3.0 in
Dimensions (L × W × H)	6.0 × 4.0 × 3.0 in
Weight	0.5 lb

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

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Key Specifications

Parameter	Details
Product Type	Ultrasonic angle-beam wedge
Model	X0AW-N55S-IHC
Wedge Series	X0
Wave Type	Shear Wave / S
Nominal Angle in Steel	55°
Cut Angle	39°
Delay Line	0 mm
AOD	6 in
Inspection Technique	Angle-beam ultrasonic testing
Compatible Transducer Family	X0-series compatible probes
Primary Use	Weld and flaw inspection
Coupling Method	Contact ultrasonic coupling
Inspection Method	Ultrasonic Testing / UT
Manufacturer	Sonatest
SKU	X0AW-002-6

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Inspection Configuration

Parameter	Details
Refracted Wave Mode	Shear wave
Nominal Refracted Angle in Steel	55°
Physical Wedge Cut Angle	39°
Delay-Line Length	0 mm
AOD Configuration	6 in cylindrical outside diameter
Typical Technique	Angle-beam pulse-echo inspection
Probe Mounting	Compatible X0 transducer mounted to wedge
Couplant Requirement	Appropriate ultrasonic couplant
Calibration Requirement	Wedge delay, sensitivity, index, and angle verification
Typical Inspection Target	Welds, fusion zones, cracks, and internal reflectors

The stated 55° angle is referenced to steel. Actual refracted angle can vary when the wedge is used on materials with different acoustic velocities.

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Performance Features

55° Shear-Wave Configuration
Provides a nominal 55-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 intended 55° shear-wave path in steel.

6 in AOD Configuration
Designed for use on cylindrical outside surfaces with approximately 6 in outside diameter, supporting improved contact and coupling on curved components.

0 mm Delay Line
Specified without an additional delay-line section, preserving the intended X0 wedge geometry.

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

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

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Advantages of a 55° Shear-Wave Wedge

A 55-degree shear-wave configuration can provide useful sound paths for selected weld and structural applications.

Potential benefits include:

• Directional examination of weld volumes

• Evaluation of weld fusion zones

• Detection of planar discontinuities

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

• Useful coverage between common 45° and 60° inspection angles

• Support for multi-angle weld-inspection procedures

• Practical sound paths for curved and cylindrical components

• 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.

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AOD 6 in Configuration Advantages

The 6 in AOD specification is useful when inspecting cylindrical components with approximately 6 in outside diameter.

Potential benefits include:

• Improved wedge contact on curved surfaces

• More consistent coupling

• Reduced rocking during scanning

• Better probe stability

• More repeatable sound entry

• Practical use on piping and cylindrical components

• Improved manual scanning control

• Better fit compared with a flat-bottom wedge on a curved surface

Actual fit depends on the true outside diameter, surface condition, and wedge contour.

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User-Friendly Design

• Fixed 55° shear-wave configuration

• Defined 39° cut angle

• 0 mm delay-line specification

• 6 in AOD contour

• Designed for compatible X0 transducers

• Suitable for field and shop inspection

• Supports repeatable angle-beam setups

• Suitable for manual weld scanning

• Supports conventional calibration procedures

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Built for Industrial Inspection

• Designed for professional ultrasonic testing

• Suitable for piping and weld inspection

• Practical for fabrication and maintenance applications

• Supports structural and QA/QC inspection workflows

• Useful for curved and cylindrical components

• Suitable for repeated manual scanning

• Can be incorporated into documented inspection procedures

• Intended for use with proper calibration and ultrasonic couplant

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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

• Cylindrical components near 6 in outside diameter

• Field and laboratory ultrasonic-testing programs

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

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Ideal Applications

• Pipeline weld inspection

• Pipe weld inspection

• Circumferential weld inspection

• Structural weld evaluation

• Fabrication QA/QC

• Pressure-vessel inspection

• Cylindrical component inspection

• Storage-tank weld inspection

• Structural steel inspection

• Machinery-component evaluation

• Maintenance inspection

• Crack detection

• Lack-of-fusion evaluation

• Angle-beam flaw detection

• Field ultrasonic testing

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Typical Discontinuities Evaluated

When used with a properly calibrated ultrasonic system, the X0AW-N55S-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 55° sound beam

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

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Inspection Guidelines

• Verify compatibility between the wedge and X0 transducer

• Confirm that the 6 in AOD contour matches the component geometry

• Inspect the contact surface before use

• Mount the transducer securely

• Apply coupling material between interfaces when required

• Apply suitable ultrasonic couplant to the test 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

• Scan the required inspection area systematically

• Maintain consistent wedge orientation on the curved surface

• Record relevant indications and sound-path information

• Recheck calibration periodically during inspection

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Angle and Material Considerations

The nominal 55° shear-wave angle is specified for steel.

When used on another material:

• The refracted angle may change

• Material sound velocity must be considered

• Calibration should be performed on an appropriate reference standard

• Actual beam behavior should be verified before inspection

• Sound-path calculations should use the test material properties

• 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 component.

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Wedge Wear and Calibration

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

For reliable performance:

• 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

• Monitor the 6 in AOD contour for uneven wear

• Recalibrate after replacing the wedge

• Replace heavily worn or damaged wedges

• Avoid unauthorized grinding or reshaping

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Care and Handling

• Avoid dropping or striking the wedge

• Keep coupling surfaces clean

• Remove couplant after inspection

• Inspect mounting surfaces for damage

• Protect the curved contact face from scratches

• Do not modify the 39° cut geometry or 6 in AOD contour

• 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

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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, pipeline inspection, fabrication, manufacturing, maintenance, structural evaluation, asset integrity, and industrial quality-control applications.