A void free inclusion-based reference standard for nondestructive tests and method of making

A reference standard for calibrating an ultrasonic scanning apparatus, comprising:

• a first portion comprising a first material and having a first face and a second face opposite the first face;
• a second portion comprising a second material and having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, the second face of the second portion adjacent the first face of the first portion and forming an interface;
• a reference material extending axially through the first face of the first portion and through the second face of the second portion;
• wherein the first portion and second portion are configured to enclose the reference material such that the calibration standard is void free at an interface between the first material and the reference material and at an interface between the second material and the reference material.

A method of forming a reference standard for calibrating ultrasonic scanning, comprising:

• forming a puck from a first matrix material, the puck having a first face, a second face, a central axis extending between the first face and the second face, and openings extending in a direction parallel to the central axis;
• placing reference material within the openings, the reference material extending from the puck through the first face;
• heating and applying pressure to the puck in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the puck such that the space surrounding the reference material is void free;
• casting a second matrix material onto the puck such that the reference material is embedded within the first matrix material and second matrix material, and the space surrounding the reference material and the space between first face of the puck and the second matrix material are void free.