Filtern
Dokumenttyp
Sprache
- Englisch (7) (entfernen)
Schlagworte
- SAFT (3)
- Ultrasonic testing (3)
- Phased array (2)
- Analytical approach (1)
- Composite (1)
- Cone Shaped Phased Array (1)
- High Speed Testing (1)
- Hollow Axle Inspection (1)
- Phased arrays (1)
- Power plant components (1)
Organisationseinheit der BAM
The spatial resolution in ultrasonic testing as a wave phenomenon in nature is limited to a
certain fraction of the wavelength, usually defined to be close to the Rayleigh criterion. In case of
complicated reflector surfaces – such as stress corrosion cracking - this limitation prevents an exact
visualization of the defect shape. There exist a few approaches to improve the spatial resolution, whose
reconstruction quality all in common also depend on the achieved signal-to-noise ratio of the raw data. In this
work we present a specific SAFT analysis, in which a high number of different angles of incidence produce a
sufficiently high number of different reflections at the crack edges resulting in an improved SNR. In doing
so, we reconstruct a coherent crack structure. First investigations were made at artificially simulated crack
configurations with different contours and curvatures in flat and cylindrical test blocks. The measurements
results visualized by representative scans – show details of crack design and crack orientation. We also will
present a comparison of the SAFT analysis between modelling and phased array measurements.
Quantitative NDE methods play a key role when it comes to inspect components,
which requires high operational safety. UT-SAFT is one of the well-known reconstruction tools,
which provides information about the defect size. In this work we studied the use of phased array
technique in combination with the SAFT algorithm to inspect power plant components. As a first
example we inspected a real-sized mock-up model representing a part of a reactor pressure vessel with
a 180 mm-thick ferritic base material followed by a 6 mm-thick austenitic cladding layer. The phased
array probe was coupled at the outer ferritic surface. We detected and sized fatigue cracks within the
cladding with a depth ranging from 4 mm to 10 mm. Secondly, we investigated a mock-up model
resembling a nozzle including a thermo sleeve inlet and a maximum wall thickness of about 37 mm.
Artificially inserted notches with a depth of 3 mm could be detected and sized, where the thermo
sleeve is welded at the inside of the nozzle.
Applications of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites in modern industries are increasing due to their considerable advantages such as light weight and excellent mechanical properties. Accordingly, importance of operational safety of modern structures made of advanced composites by ensuring the material quality has led to increasing demands for development of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) systems. In the context of a European project entitled “Validated Inspection Techniques for Composites in Energy Applications” (VITCEA), the aim is to develop and validate traceable procedures for novel NDE techniques with contrasting damage detection capabilities in energy related applications such as wind and marine turbine blades, nacelles, oil and gas flexible risers. Accordingly, VITCEA focuses on optimization of ultrasonic tests (UTs) for quantitative defect detection and quality characterization of FRP structures. In this context, the present study describes the ultrasound field in heterogeneous composite materials. The theoretical predictions are compared with simulation results obtained from CIVA a software package dedicated to NDT simulations based on the asymptotic ray theory.
Hollow axle inspection can be performed without demounting the axles and without dismantling the wheels and the brake discs by using the drilling for the scan. To increase inspection reliability and inspection speed, the application of phased array systems instead of conventional probes is a good choice. For solid shaft inspection phased array setups became standard in the recent years. Nevertheless, for hollow axle inspection typically a number of conventional probes rotating through the axles drilling are applied.
The new approach uses an electronically steered rotating sound field from a phased array for the circumferential scan. This is realized by a cone shaped phased array which operates in immersion technique. That allows a significant increase in inspection speed and a reduction of the mechanical effort of the inspection system. The inspection can be carried out by a linear movement of the probe setup along the axles drilling. Applying additional focal laws allows exact inclination and focusing of the sound beam in the plane vertical to the specimen axis to concentrate the sound in the zones close to the external surface. An additional focus in the plane of incidence increases overall resolution and sensitivity.
The cone type phased array probe has been optimized to detect transversal flaws in and close to the outer surface of the hollow axle with orientation in the radial-radial plane. The prototype probe system, sound field simulations and measurement results are presented.