FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CONTINUOUSLY CAST CLAD METALLIC BUFFER RODS

The fabrication, characterization, and ultrasonic measurements of clad metallic ultrasonic buffer rods are presented. The core and the cladding consist of tin/lead alloy and pure tin, respectively, produced by a vertical continuous casting technique. The acoustic velocity profiles across the rod diameter are measured using a 225-MHz line focus beam scanning acoustic microscope. A schlieren visualization system confirms the concentration of acoustic energy in the core. Spherical acoustic lenses have been fabricated at the ends of the rods. Focused and unfocused ultrasonic measurements at frequencies between 2 to 10 MHz and signals with excellent signal to noise ratios have been obtained.