EMAT probe and technique for weld inspection

A method for inspecting flaws in a specular reflector, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting an acoustic beam with an electromagnetic acoustic transmitter at an angle toward the specular reflector for producing a reflected acoustic beam, the transmitted acoustic beam having side lobes with zero points therebetween, at least some of the side lobes being major side lobes of a specular reflection produced by the transmitted acoustic beam from the specular reflector;
• positioning an electromagnetic acoustic receiver in a collinear relationship with respect to the electromagnetic acoustic transmitter;
• receiving the reflected beam using the electromagnetic acoustic receiver;
• rotating the electromagnetic acoustic transmitter and receiver at the angle to the specular reflector, the angle being selected to be at one of the zero points and past all of the major side lobes of the specular reflection of the transmitted acoustic beam;
• and
• detecting a flaw in the specular reflector based upon changes in the received acoustic beam.