If you’re reading this, we probably don’t need to tell you exactly how challenging ultrasonic testing of nozzles can be. In order to accurately capture indications, a skew must be applied to the UT probe so that the inspection plane is perpendicular to the defect. Several flaws are extremely sensitive to beam orientation, re-confirming the need for skewing the beam. Furthermore, defects near the surface typically requires beams to reflect off the backwall – not exactly easy when vessels are curved.