Crack Luminescence as innovative method for detection of fatigue damage
- Conventional methods of crack detection only provide a snapshot of the fatigue evolution at a specific location and in the moment of examination. The crack luminescence method realizes a clear visibility of the occurring cracks in loaded components during ongoing operation. Several different experiments show that due to the sensitive coating even the early stage of the crack formation can be detected what makes the crack luminescence helpful to determine the incipient crack opening behavior depending on load alternation. Due to the emitting of light under UV-radiation the crack gets clearly visible what makes continuous monitoring and automated crack detection possible. This can reduce costs and time needed for maintenance and inspection.