Abstract: The flexural guided waves in pipe wall were excited by the single transducer excitation method. According to the dispersion curves, the propagation of flexural guided waves in stainless steel pipes and the feasibility of defect inspection were studied. F(n, 3)and L(0, 2) modes were chosen, then the exciting frequency and the incidence angle were determined. Under this experimental condition in the present work, it was concluded that via hole with the diameter larger than 1 mm(including 1 mm) could be effectively detected.