Combined remote thermography and non-contact ultrasonic inspection techniques using pulsed laser excitation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Warwick
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
In May 2005, the investigators of this new proposal started a one-year feasibility study (EP/C517695/1 & EP/C517709/1) of a novel NDE technique that showed cracks in metal components can be detected by thermography using cw and pulse laser beam heating. The study was a targeted research project funded by EPSRC and three RCNDE industrial partners (Rolls-Royce, BNFL & RWE Npower) through the UK Research Centre in Non Destructive Evaluation (RCNDE). A short feasibility study was requested by RCNDE at the outset because the proposed techniques were untried and judged to have significant technical risk, but there was agreement from the RCNDE Board that if the results obtained in the feasibility study were encouraging, an application would follow for a full research programme which is the current research proposal. The RCNDE Board have agreed that a more extensive investigation should proceed as a targeted research project supported by the same industrial partners, listed above. The EPSRC Review of the Final Report on the feasibility study ranked the outcome as tending to outstanding . The new method of laser beam heating for thermography has all the advantages of conventional flash lamp thermography NDE: it is a non-contact technique; it provides a very clear and simple to interpret defect indication; large areas can be inspected rapidly (using a scanned pulse laser beam) and it requires little sample surface preparation. In addition, where a pulsed laser is used, ultrasonic waves are generated simultaneously and can be monitored to confirm the presence of a crack and to further characterise it. Currently, most complex components, eg gas turbine blades, are inspected for cracks by the fluorescent dye penetrant method which relies on careful and time-consuming component cleaning and surface preparation and is prone to false-calls caused by surface scratches producing indications of cracks. Our new techniques provide an attractive alternative that has the potential of being quicker, more reliable and of providing more quantitative information about a detected defect. In addition, because laser beams can be delivered along optical fibres and very small infrared cameras are now available, the techniques offer a means of inspecting parts where access is severely restricted / eg inside tubes. Whilst the one year feasibility study has shown the new NDE techniques to have the exciting advantages summarised above, they are not ready for implementation in industry because their defect detection sensitivities have not been determined and their reliability in the inspection of real components has not been tested. The tasks of this follow on project are to complete the required investigations that are necessary to bring a new NDE technique to the point at which it can be introduced into industry.
Publications
Dixon S
(2011)
Detection of cracks in metal sheets using pulsed laser generated ultrasound and EMAT detection.
in Ultrasonics
Burrows S
(2011)
DEFECT DETECTION USING A SCANNING LASER SOURCE
Description | There is a widely acknowledged need within industry for NDE techniques that will provide rapid and reliable inspection of parts such as: turbine blades within engines or generators; parts within nuclear power plant; the inner surfaces of pipes or bores etc. The work was aimed at applications of this type where physical access prevents the deployment of established inspection techniques or which makes their use slow, cumbersome or unreliable. This project provided an in-depth investigation of a novel combination of NDE techniques that offers a rapid means of detecting defects in components and that has the added advantages requiring no contact to the part under inspection and the potential of being deployed remotely to inspect parts for which there is restricted access. The thermographic and ultrasonic techniques were used in combination and also as separate methods. We investigated the limits of each method and the combined techniques, in addition to developing completely new methods of imaging cracks using the thermographic approach, discovering a new phenomena of crack "flaring" where a laser heated crack cavity temperature rises significantly higher than the surrounding material and a new observation of the enhancement of high frequencies in the Lamb waves generated by the pulsed laser incident on the crack. The original aims and objectives of the project were achieved and some entirely new techniques and phenomena were observed and reported. |
Exploitation Route | The findings led to further research that has now resulted in some high TRL sensor developments that will be commercialised in 2016. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Construction Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Other |
Description | National Nuclear Laboratory Ltd |
Organisation | National Nuclear Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | RWE nPower |
Organisation | RWE AG |
Department | RWE nPower |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Rolls-Royce plc |
Organisation | Rolls Royce Group Plc |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2008 |