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Full certification

Become fully certified in Ultrasonic Thickness Testing carbon fibre bicycles.

Cycle Inspect’s Ultrasonic Thickness Testing (UTT) course is designed to develop the knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to perform ultrasonic thickness measurements on carbon fibre composite bike frames and accessories. The course aligns with the training and qualification guidelines of ASNT’s SNT-TC-1A, ensuring trainees are prepared for certification under Cycle Inspect’s written practice.

What you will learn

Trainees will learn to evaluate composite wall thickness, detect delamination’s or internal voids, and interpret ultrasonic data in complex geometries commonly found in high-performance bicycle structures. Formal classroom instruction (link to course syllabus below) and guided study are required to complete the training phase.

Certification

On successful completion of the course, students will receive a Level 2 training certificate documenting their hours and content in accordance with ASNT ‘SNT-TC-1A’ recommendations.

Pre-requisites

Aside from a basic understanding of materials and mathematics, trainees are to have completed Cycle Inspect's online (‘eLearning’) training modules prior to attending in-person training. Completion of a visual acuity test, and identity verification will be conducted during the in-person training course.

Training schedule

Cycle Inspect’s course runs over three full days, with a mock exam on Day 2 and final examinations conducted on Day 3. The course is highly focused and fast-paced where students will be challenged with both theoretical concepts and practical exercises from the outset. To ensure readiness for certification, students must engage in both classroom and directed study. A minimum of 80% is required across all components — general, specific, and practical — to successfully complete the course.

Typical daily schedule

What you should bring

Trainees are required to bring their ultrasonic device, accessories (probe, cables, chargers), and all reference and calibration materials. Trainees are also required to wear enclosed footwear and suitable clothing, and to bring notepads and stationary to assist with note taking in preparation for examinations.

Cost

Please contact us for a tailored quote.

Upcoming courses

Please send us a message and we would be happy to provide details for the next available training.

Course curriculum

Introduction to UTT & composites
  • Background of ultrasonic testing in composites
  • Purpose and scope of thickness testing
  • Suitability of CFRP for ultrasonic inspection
  • Common flaws in carbon fibre bike frames (e.g. delamination, voids, resin starvation)
  • Limitations of UT in composite materials
  • Advantages vs. alternative NDT methods
  • Overview of relevant standards and practices
Ultrasonic testing principles
  • Sound wave propagation in anisotropic materials
  • Attenuation and scatter in composites
  • Beam angle, velocity variations, and refraction
  • Coupling principles
  • Signal reflection and transmission
  • Time-of-flight and thickness determination
  • Transducers
  • Probe types suitable for CFRP (normal beam, delay line, dual-element)
Ultrasonic testing of carbon fibre bike frames and equipment

  • Equipment setup and parameter selection

  • High-frequency requirements for thin-walled composite materials

  • Use of delay lines and membranes

  • Limitations of conventional probes

  • Couplant selection

Calibration and reference standards

  • Use of step wedges and composite calibration blocks

  • Setting zero and velocity

  • Timebase calibration for thickness range

  • On-site calibration checks

  • Calibration traceability and documentation

Inspection techniques for CFRP

  • Scanning techniques on tubes and contoured surfaces

  • Surface preparation and access constraints

  • Strategies for mitigating attenuation and backwall loss

  • Use of jigs or positioning aids

  • Recording minimum thickness and defect zones

Data interpretation and sizing

  • A-scan interpretation basics

  • Identifying delamination’s vs. material loss

  • Recognising backwall echo variations

  • Distinguishing true indications from noise

  • Cross-checking with visual observations or other methods

Reporting and documentation

  • Recording inspection results

  • Use of worksheets or digital logs

  • Reporting minimum and nominal thickness

  • Typical format of a composite UTT report

  • Overview of employer’s Written Practice under SNT-TC-1A

Technique validation & safety

  • Safety during equipment handling

  • Limitations of UT in composite inspections

  • Review of real-world case studies

  • Validating inspection results via alternate methods

  • Cleaning and preserving the frame post-inspection