Typical Measurement Ranges for Common Microscan Transducers used with

Precision Thickness Gauges

1. These tables are intended as a general guideline only, listing common transducers and typical material thickness ranges only. All thickness
ranges are approximate. The actual measurement range in a given case will always depend on instrument setup as well as material properties
such as part geometry, surface condition, and grain structure.
2. Material is assumed to be at ambient temperature. In all materials, sound velocity decreases and attenuation increases with temperature, so
at elevated temperatures the minimum measurable thicknesses may be slightly lower and the maximum thickness may be significantly lower,
especially in plastics.
3. These tables list only some of the most common materials and transducers related to precision gaging applications. There are many more
possibilities. If you need information regarding a thickness application that is not listed here, contact the Panametrics-NDT technical support
staff.
4. See the notes at the end for further comments.

Part 1 Direct contact measurements using contact and delay line transducers
METALS
Material
aluminum
(sheet)

aluminum (plate)

aluminum
(tubing)

Transducer
M116
M202
M208
V260
M106
M109, M110
M112
M116
M112
M208

Gauge Type
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD

Mode Thickness (mm)

1
0.5 10 mm
3
0.3 12 mm
3
0.2 6 mm
3
0.3 6 mm
1
2 -- 500
1
1.25 375 mm
1
1 10 mm
1
0.6 10 mm
1
1 25 mm
3
0.125 3 mm

Thickness (inches)
0.020 0.40 in
0.012 0.50 in
0.008 0.25 in
0.012 0.25 in
0.080 20 in
0.050 15 in
0.040 10 in
0.025 0.40 in
0.040 1 in
0.010 0.12 in

Note

aluminum
(tubing)

brass, bronze

copper (sheet)

copper (plate)

V260
M101
M1036
M109
M1036
M109
M116
M202
M208
M106
M109, M110
M112

STD
HP
HP
HP
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD

3
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
1
1
1

0.3 6 mm
10 125 mm
2 75 mm
1.25 35 mm
1.25 50 mm
1 25 mm
0.4 5 mm
0.2 8 mm
0.1 3 mm
1 50 mm
0.75 25 mm
0.5 15 mm

0.012 0.25 in
0.40 5 in
0.080 3 in
0.050 1.5 in
0.050 2 in
0.040 1 in
0.016 0.20 in
0.008 0.32 in
0.004 .12 in
0.040 2 in
0.030 1 in
0.020 0.60 in

M101
M1036
M109
M1036
M109

HP
HP
HP
STD
STD

1
1
1
1
1

5 100 mm
2.5 50 mm
1.2 25 mm
2.0 35 mm
1 20 mm

0.20 4 in
0.10 2 in
0.050 1 in
0.080 1.5 in
0.040 0.80 in

M116
M202
M208
V260
M106
M109, M110

STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD

1
3
3
3
1
1

0.5 25 mm
0.3 10 mm
0.2 5 mm
0.25 5 mm
2 500 mm
1.25 250 mm

0.020 1 in
0.012 0.40 in
0.008 0.20 in
0.010 0.20 in
0.080 20 in
0.050 10 in

1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2

inconel, see
carbon steel
iron, cast

iron, forged, see

carbon steel
steel, carbon
(sheet)

steel, carbon
(plate)

1
1
1
1
1

steel, carbon
(plate)
steel, carbon
(pipe & tubing)

steel, cast
stainless
steel, stainless

titanium

M112
M116
M112
M208
V260
M101
M1036
M106
M109, M110
M112
M116
M202
M208
M106
M109, M110
M112
M202
M208
V260
M116

STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
HP
HP
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD

1
1
1
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
1
1
1
3
3
3
1

1 125 mm
0.5 25 mm
1 125 mm
0.2 5 mm
0.25 5 mm
5 75 mm
2.5 35 mm
2 100 mm
1.25 50 mm
1 25 mm
0.5 12 mm
0.3 10 mm
0.2 5 mm
2 250 mm
1.25 125 mm
1 50 mm
0.3 12 mm
0.2 6 mm
0.25 5 mm
0.5 25 mm

0.040 5 in
0.020 1 in
0.040 5.0 in
0.008 0.20 in
0.010 0.20 in
0.2 3.0 in
0.100 1.5 in
0.080 4 in
0.050 2 in
0.040 1 in
0.020 0.5 in
0.012 0.40 in
0.008 0.20 in
0.080 10 in
0.050 5 in
0.040 2 in
0.012 0.5 in
0.008 0.12 in
0.010 0.20 in
0.020 1 in

1
1

zirconium and
zircalloy, see
carbon steel

Plastics
Note: The ranges listed below are for typical engineering plastics at ambient temperature. The maximum measurable thickness for any plastic
will decrease as temperature increases, in some cases significantly.

Material
acrylic and
similar hard
plastics

Transducer
M101
M1036
M106
M109, M110
M112
M116
M206
M207
M202
M208
V260

Gauge Type
HP
HP
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD

M101
M1036
M106
M109, M110
M112
M206
M207
M202
M208
M101
M1036
M106
M109, M110
M112

HP
HP
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
HP
HP
STD
STD
STD

Mode Thickness (mm)

1
5 150 mm
1
2 100 mm
1
1 75 mm
1
0.75 50 mm
1
0.5 35 mm
1
0.2 -- 10 mm
2
1.0 12.0 mm
2
1.5 12.0 mm
2
0.5 12.0 mm
2
0.2 6.0 mm
2
0.25 3.0 mm

Thickness (inches)
0.20 6 in
0.080 4 in
0.040 3 in
0.030 2 in
0.020 1.5 in
0.008 0.40 in
0.040 0.50 in
0.050 0.50 in
0.020 0.50 in
0.008 0.25 in
0.010 0.12 in

Note

3
3
3
3

Lucite, see
acrylic
polyamide

polyethyene, low
density

1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1

5 100 mm
2 75 mm
1 50 mm
0.75 35 mm
0.5 25 mm
1.0 12.0 mm
1.5 12.0 mm
0.5 12.0 mm
0.2 6.0 mm
5 100 mm
2 75 mm
1 50 mm
0.75 35 mm
0.5 25 mm

0.20 4 in
0.080 3 in
0.040 2 in
0.030 1.5 in
0.020 1 in
0.040 0.50 in
0.050 0.50 in
0.020 0.50 in
0.008 0.25 in
0.20 4 in
0.080 3 in
0.040 2 in
0.030 1.5 in
0.020 1 in

3
3
3
3

polyethyene, low
density

polyethylene,
high density

polystyrene

M116
M206
M207
M202
M208
M101

STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
HP

1
2
2
2
2
1

0.2 6 mm
1.0 12.0 mm
1.5 12.0 mm
0.5 10.0 mm
0.2 5.0 mm
5 100 mm

0.008 0.25 in
0.040 0.50 in
0.050 0.50 in
0.020 0.40 in
0.008 0.20 in
0.20 4 in

M1036
M106

HP
STD

1
1

2 75 mm
1 50 mm

0.080 3 in
0.040 2 in

M109, M110
M112
M116
M206
M207
M202
M208
V260
M106
M109, M110
M112
M202
M208
V260

STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD

1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2

0.75 50 mm
0.5 35 mm
0.2 10 mm
1.0 12.0 mm
1.5 12.0 mm
0.5 12.0 mm
0.2 6.0 mm
0.25 3.0 mm
1 75 mm
0.75 50 mm
0.5 35 mm
0.5 12.0 mm
0.2 6.0 mm
0.25 3.0 mm

0.030 2 in
0.020 1.5 in
0.008 0.40 in
0.040 0.50 in
0.050 0.50 in
0.020 0.50 in
0.008 0.25 in
0.010 0.12 in
0.040 3 in
0.030 2 in
0.020 1.5 in
0.020 0.50 in
0.008 0.25 in
0.010 0.12 in

M101
M1036

HP
HP

1
1

3 75 mm
1.25 35 mm

0.125 3 in
0.050 1.5 in

PVC, see high

density PE
Teflon

3
3
3
3

3
3
3
3

3, 4
3, 4
4

Teflon
M109

HP

1 25 mm

0.040 1 in

Miscellaneous Materials
Material
ceramic, high
density

composite, fiber
epoxy

fiberglass

rubber

silicon

Transducer
M106
M109, M110
M112
M202
M208
M2008
M1036
M109, M110
M112
M206
M207
M202
M2008
M1036
M109
M1036
M109, M110
M207
M101
M1036
M109, M110
M112
M202

Gauge Type
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
HP
HP
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
HP
HP
HP
STD
STD
STD
HP
HP
STD
STD
STD

Mode Thickness (mm)

1
2 100 mm
1
1.5 75 mm
1
1 50 mm
3
0.3 12 mm
3
0.2 6 mm
spec.
4 100 mm
1
2 50 mm
1
0.75 50 mm
1
0.5 35 mm
2
1.0 12.0 mm
2
1.5 12.0 mm
2
0.5 12.0 mm
spec.
4 75 mm
1
2 25 mm
1
1 15 mm
1
1.25 20 mm
1
1 -- 10 mm
2
1 10 mm
1
3 50 mm
1
2 35 mm
1
2 250 mm
1
1.25 200 mm
3
0.4 15 mm

Thickness (inches)
0.080 4 in
0.060 3 in
0.040 2.0 in
0.012 0.50 in
0.008 0.25 in
0.15 4 in
0.08 2 in
0.030 2 in
0.020 1.5 in
0.040 0.50 in
0.050 0.50 in
0.020 0.50 in
0.15 3 in
0.080 1.0 in
0.040 0.60 in
0.050 0.80 in
0.040 0.40 in
0.040 0.40 in
0.12 2.0 in
0.080 1.5 in
0.080 10 in
0.050 8 in
0.016 0.60 in

Note

3
3
5
5
5
5
3,5
3,5
3,5
5
5
5

silicon

tissue, soft

water and similar

liquids

M208
M106
M202
V260
M106
M112

STD
STD
STD
STD
HP
STD

3
1
2
2
1
1

0.3 6 mm
1 50 mm
0.5 3 mm
0.5 3 mm
1 150 mm
0.5 125 mm

0.008 0.25 in
0.040 2.0 in
0.020 0.12 in
0.020 0.12 in
0.040 6.0 in
0.020 5.0 in

6
6

Part 2 Immersion measurements using standard immersion transducers

Note on Focal Length: Transducer focal length is an important consideration in any immersion application. Focal lengths listed in the tables
are intended as a point of reference only. Optimum focal length in a given application will be determined by material thickness, sound velocity,
and geometry, as well as the length of the water path used. Most commonly, F=.75" and F=1" transducers are used for thin materials (metal
under 5 mm or 0.2", plastic under 10 mm or 0.4"), with focal length increasing as material thickness increases. Unfocused (flat) transducers
are usually recommended for very thick test pieces, since focuses longer than 80% of the near field length of a given transducer usually have
little practical effect. For assistance in selecting the optimum focal length for a given application, contact the OISE technical support group in
Paris..
Note on Water Path: Maximum thickness measurement capability in immersion testing is also limited by water path length. This chart assumes
that water path length can be extended as required to meet the condition that round trip transit time in the water path exceeds round trip
transit time in the test piece. For very thick materials, this requires use of an immersion tank or special bubblers. When using standard
Panametrics-NDT bubblers such as the B-103, B-103A and B-103W, maximum thicknesses will be limited by water path length as follows,
regardless of transducer frequency:
Metals, mode 2 -- approximately 50 mm or 2 inches
Metals, mode 3 -- approximately 25 mm or 1 inch
Plastic, mode 2 -- approximately 23 mm or 0.9 inch

METALS
Material
Aluminum
(sheet)
aluminum (plate)

Transducer
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75,
V316B

Gauge Type
STD
STD

M306-SU

STD

Mode Thickness (mm)

3
0.3 12 mm
3
0.2 6 mm
3

2 -- 500

Thickness (inches)
0.012 0.50 in
0.008 0.25 in
0.080 20 in

Note

aluminum (plate)
aluminum
(tubing)
brass, bronze

copper (tubing)

copper (plate &

pipe)

M309-SU
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75,
V316B

STD
STD
STD

3
3
3

1.25 375 mm
0.6 10 mm
1 25 mm

0.050 15 in
0.025 0.40 in
0.040 1 in

M301-SU
M306-SU
M309 F=3
M306 F=3
M309 F=2
M309 F=1
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75,
V316B

HP
HP
HP
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD

2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3

10 125 mm
2 75 mm
1.25 37 mm
2 50 mm
1 25 mm
0.4 5 mm
0.2 8 mm
0.1 3 mm

0.40 5 in
0.080 3 in
0.050 1.5 in
0.080 2 in
0.040 1 in
0.016 0.20 in
0.008 0.32 in
0.004 0.12 in

1
1
1
1
1

M306 F=3
M309 F=2

STD
STD

2
1

2.5 50 mm
1.5 25 mm

0.10 2 in
0.060 1 in

2
2

M301-SU
M306-SU
M309 F=3
M306 F=3
M309 F=2

HP
HP
HP
STD
STD

1
1
1
1
1

10-125 mm
2 75 mm
1.25 37 mm
2.0 50 mm
1 25 mm

0.40 5 in
0.080 3 in
0.050 1.5 in
0.080 2 in
0.040 1 in

1
1
1
1
1

M312 F=1
M316 F=.75
M306-SU

STD
STD
STD

3
3
1

0.3 10 mm
0.2 5 mm
2 500 mm

0.012 0.40 in
0.008 0.20 in
0.080 20 in

inconel, see
carbon steel
iron, cast

iron, forged, see

carbon steel
steel, carbon
(sheet)
steel, carbon
(plate)

steel, carbon
(plate)

M309-SU
M312-SU
M309 F=2
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75,
V316B

STD
STD
STD
STD
STD

1
1
2
3
3

1.25 250 mm
1 100 mm
2 50 mm
0.3 12.5 mm
0.2 5 mm

0.050 10 in
0.040 4 in
0.080 2 in
0.012 0.5 in
0.008 0.20 in

steel, stainless

M309 F=2
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75,
V316B

STD
STD
STD

2
3
3

2 50 mm
0.3 10 mm
0.2 5 mm

0.080 2 in
0.012 0.40 in
0.008 0.20 in

turbine blades
(steel or
titanium)

M309 F=1
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75,
V316B

STD
STD
STD

2
3
3

2 25 mm
0.3 12.5 mm
0.2 5 mm

0.080 1 in
0.012 0.5 in
0.008 0.2 in

steel, carbon
(pipe & tubing)

zirconium and
zircalloy, see
carbon steel

Plastics
Note: The ranges listed below are for typical engineering plastics at ambient temperature. The maximum measurable thickness for any plastic
will decrease as temperature increases, in some cases significantly.

Material
acrylic and
similar hard
plastics

Transducer
M306 F=3
M309 F=2
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75,
V316B

Gauge Type
STD
STD
STD
STD

Mode Thickness (mm)

2
1.5 75 mm
2
1.25 40 mm
2
0.5 25 mm
2
0.2 10.0 mm

Thickness (inches)
0.060 3 in
0.050 1.5 in
0.020 1 in
0.008 0.4 in

Note

Lucite, see
acrylic
polyamide

polyethylene,
low density

polyethylene,
high density

polystyrene

PVC, see high

density PE

M306 F=2
M309 F=1
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75,
V316B
M301-SU
M306 F=3
M309 F=2
M306 F=2
M309 F=1
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75,
V316B
M306 F=3
M309 F=2
M306 F=2
M309 F=1
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75,
V316B
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75
V316B

STD
STD
STD
STD

2
2
2
2

1.5 25.0 mm
1.0 12.0 mm
0.5 12.0 mm
0.2 5.0 mm

0.060 1 in
0.040 0.50 in
0.020 0.50 in
0.008 0.20 in

HP
HP
HP
STD
STD
STD
STD

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3.0 -- 150 mm
2.0 -- 100 mm
1.5 -- 50 mm
1.5 50 mm
1.0 25 mm
0.5 10.0 mm
0.2 5.0 mm

0.125 - 6 in
0.080 -- 4 in
0.060 -- 2 in
0.060 2 in
0.040 1 in
0.020 0.40 in
0.008 0.20 in

HP
HP
STD
STD
STD
STD

2
2
2
2
2
2

3.0 -- 150 mm
2.0 -- 100 mm
1.5 60.0 mm
1.0 40.0 mm
0.5 25.0 mm
0.2 5.0 mm

0.125 - 6 in
0.080 -- 4 in
0.040 2.5 in
0.050 1.5 in
0.020 1 in
0.008 0.20 in

STD
STD

2
2

0.5 12.0 mm
0.2 5.0 mm

0.020 0.50 in
0.008 0.20 in

soft contact
lenses

M316 F=.75

STD

0.075 -- 2 mm

0.003 - 0.08 in

Miscellaneous Materials
Material

Transducer

Gauge Type

ceramic, high
density

M309 F= 2
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75
V316B
M301-SU
M306-SU
M306-SU
M309-SU
M312 F=1
M301-SU
M306-SU
M309-SU
M309 F=1
M301-SU
M306-SU
M316 F=1,
V316B
M312 F=1
M316 F=.75,
V316B

STD
STD
STD

2
3
3

2 50 mm
0.3 12 mm
0.2 10 mm

0.080 2 in
0.012 0.50 in
0.008 0.4 in

HP
HP
STD
STD
STD
HP
HP
HP
STD
HP
HP
STD

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3

4 100 mm
2 75 mm
1.5 50 mm
1.0 25 mm
0.5 12 mm
4 50 mm
2 25 mm
1 15 mm
1 10 mm
3 50 mm
2 35 mm
0.25 6 mm

0.15 4 in
0.08 3 in
0.050 2 in
0.050 1 in
0.020 0.50 in
0.15 2 in
0.080 1 in
0.040 0.60 in
0.040 0.40 in
0.12 2 in
0.080 1.5 in
0.010 0.25 in

STD
STD

2
2

0.5 5 mm
0.5 3 mm

0.020 0.2 in
0.020 0.12 in

M306-SU

HP

1 150 mm

0.040 6 in

composite, fiber
epoxy

fiberglass

rubber

silicon wafers
tissue, soft

water and similar

liquids

Mode Thickness (mm)

Thickness (inches)

Note

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

water and similar

liquids

M312-SU

STD

0.5 150 mm

0.020 6 in

NOTES
1. Maximum thickness in all cast metals will be highly dependent on grain size and surface condition.
2. May be anisotropic (sound velocity can vary with orientation).
3. Maximum measurable thickness may be increased through use of extended delay line.
4. Medium temperature delay line recommended when measuring polystyrene to prevent loss of detectable interface echo due to impedance
matching.
5. Maximum thickness will be dependent on lay up structure and resulting sound scattering.
6. Maximum range in liquids is limited by gage echo window. Larger distance can be measured with a flaw detector or pulser/receiver.