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Buzz-o-sonic is a nondestructive testing system designed to measure the elastic and damping properties of materials using the Impulse Excitation Technique or Ping Test1. Write to us for a quote.

The impulse excitation technique is described here and in ASTM E1876 and C1259 - see References.

The Buzz-o-sonic system consists of software and hardware components that implement the impulse excitation technique as follows:

The Young's modulus, shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, sound/sonic velocity, and shear velocity are calculated from the known mass and dimensions of the solid. Buzz-o-sonic has built in algorithms to determine these properties for discs, rectangular bars, and cylinders; as described in ASTM E1876 and C1259. A Microsoft Excel® workbook is also included to perform similar calculations of these shapes and others, such as annular or perforated plates (e.g. grinding/cutt-off wheels), square plates, and tubes. For more complicated shapes we now offer MItools - a sophisticated finite element analysis package. Click here to download the brochure.

A wide range of sample sizes can be measured. We have measured samples from 10 mm in length up to several meters; and thicknesses down to 0.1 mm.  

Buzz-o-sonic can be used to measure very large or small/thin samples that would be very difficult to measure by any other means such as ultrasonic or forced resonance vibration methods.

We supply all that you need to perform the test. Contact us for more details.

Buzz-o-sonic has many features, such as:

  1. Measurement of resonant frequencies of up to over 100 kHz (special certified DAQ card and high quality, certified ICP microphone supplied)
  2. Frequencies are measured from a frequency or power spectrum. The waveform is also displayed.
  3. Selectable resolutions of 100, 10, and 1 Hz (actual resolutions are better)
  4. Window functions are available to clean up the frequency/power spectrum and to reveal weak peaks
  5. The frequency spectrum can be displayed with an amplitude, power, or decibel scale
  6. Calculation of the elastic properties of the material being tested from its resonant frequencies using Buzz-o-sonic and/or our special Excel workbook. Calculations include Young's and shear moduli, Poisson's ratio, and sound and shear velocities. Various systems of units can be used (SI, metric, imperial, mixed)
  7. Measurement of internal friction (Q-1) based on the logarithmic decrement method for medium to lightly damped materials; and also on the half peak bandwidth method for medium to heavily damped materials. Waveform can be offset to reduce transients and to improve fit to waveform decay envelope (lower mean squared error)
  8. Modular design. For example we include a Quality Control panel that has pass/fail indicators based on control chart data (upper and lower control limits). Data can be stored and retrieved for particular production parts. Control data associated with the waveform and spectrum can be stored for each production item. We also provide an Elastic Constants module. Resonant frequency estimates can be made from known elastic properties and size and shape of the test piece. Cursors can then be placed on the frequency/power spectrum to indicate the location of the frequency estimates.
  9. A Spectrogram module (frequency Vs time) is also included
  10. Descriptive statistics available for frequency and Q-1 measurements. For example, the mean squared error (MSE) is reported for the internal friction measured using the log decrement method.
  11. Integration/communication with Microsoft Excel. Frequency measurements can be sent to the active cell.
  12. Buzz-o-sonic has built in algorithms to calculate the elastic constants and speed of sound for standard shapes such as round or rectangular bars, and discs; and for non-standard shapes such as annular plates, and square plates. We offer MItools for more complex shapes. Click here to download the brochure.
  13. Automatic peak labeling and cursor placement on the frequency/power spectrum
  14. ASTM E1876 included as a PDF file
  15. Manual in PDF format
  16. Data can be saved to file
  17. HASP key protection allows Buzz-o-sonic to be installed on several computers but activated one at a time using the USB HASP key. More keys can be purchased at a discounted price for multi-users
  18. Frequent updates/upgrades produced
  19. Complete systems available. Computer can also be provided in the USA, though most clients user their own. Buzz-o-sonic is designed to adapt to virtually any commonly used screen resolution
  20. Smart window resizing. Buzz-o-sonic resizes the tables and graphs so that several modules and/or the Excel spreadsheet can be viewed on one screen.
  21. Window layouts and unit systems etc. can be set as a defaults
  22. Buzz-o-sonic has been designed to take advantage of multiple monitors. Modules and the Excel spreadsheet can be viewed on different screens.

We can design systems for high frequency, high temperature, cryogenic, and automated measurements. Contact us for a quote.

Buzz-o-sonic has some of the following advantages over competing analog systems:


Most elastic materials can be tested with Buzz-o-sonic and include:

See Client Data for some real life examples and Uses for a more comprehensive list

For example, RHI Canada uses Buzz-o-sonic to save costs by replacing a cold crushing strength test (results to be published in Ceramic Industry magazine later this year). A company in North Carolina uses Buzz-o-sonic to increase the guaranteed minimum strength of their ceramic filters by 50%. Several companies use Buzz-o-sonic to measure the sound velocity of their Ti-6Al-4V alloys for use in medical devices. Buzz-o-sonic is being used in the ceramics, metals, automotive, and polymer industries as a QC/QA and research tool and to reduce production and development costs. Buzz-o-sonic is also being used in universities and research laboratories (Oak Ridge National Labs...).

To evaluate Buzz-o-sonic:

You will be asked to fill out a simple form in each case

1The impulse excitation technique is also known as:

  • impulse excitation of vibration
  • resonant vibration
  • impact acoustic resonance
  • ping test
  • eigen frequency method