Corrosion and erosion monitoring in plates and pipes using constant group velocity Lamb wave inspection

Recent improvements in tomographic reconstruction techniques generated a renewed interest in short-range ultrasonic guided wave inspection for real-time monitoring of internal corrosion and erosion in pipes and other plate-like structures. Emerging evidence suggests that in most cases the fundamental asymmetric A₀ mode holds a distinct advantage over the earlier market leader fundamental symmetric S₀ mode. Most existing A₀ mode inspections operate at relatively low inspection frequencies where the mode is highly dispersive therefore very sensitive to variations in wall thickness. This paper examines the potential advantages of increasing the inspection frequency to the so-called constant group velocity (CGV) point where the group velocity remains essentially constant over a wide range of wall thickness variation, but the phase velocity is still dispersive enough to allow accurate wall thickness assessment from phase angle measurements. This paper shows that in the CGV region the crucial issue of temperature correction becomes especially simple, which is particularly beneficial when higher-order helical modes are also exploited for tomography. One disadvantage of working at such relatively high inspection frequency is that, as the slower A₀ mode becomes faster and less dispersive, the competing faster S₀ mode becomes slower and more dispersive. At higher inspection frequencies these modes cannot be separated any longer based on their vibration polarization only, which is mostly tangential for the S₀ mode while mostly normal for the A₀ at low frequencies, as the two modes become more similar as the frequency increases. Therefore, we propose a novel method for suppressing the unwanted S₀ mode based on the Poisson effect of the material by optimizing the angle of inclination of the equivalent transduction force of the Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers (EMATs) used for generation and detection purposes.     

The experimental study of fatigue crack detection using scanning laser point source technique

For the purpose of better understanding the interaction of Rayleigh wave and the fatigue crack in a metallic sample, a set of experimental setups is built, based on the scanning laser source (SLS) technique, utilizing a point source to take place of the line source to generate surface acoustic waves (SAWs), and an interferometer is to detect the SAWs signal. The information of the crack (such as position and length) can be obtained by utilizing a two-dimensional scan of the material surface. This paper focuses on the detection of visible and invisible fatigue crack by using this point-source-based scanning laser source technique, and comparing the results with those of conventional pitch-catch technique. The result shows that with two-dimensional scanning, and analyzing the amplitude of the generated SAWs, not only the visible fatigue can be identified, but also the invisible fatigue crack can be discriminated. As a result, the sensitivity of the scanning point laser source technique is higher than the conventional pitch-catch technique.     

A laser beam deflection technique for the quantitative detection of ultrasonic Lamb waves

Ultrasonic Lamb waves have been measured with a quantitative optical beam deflection (OBD) technique. Calibration of the technique is derived for two cases of laser probe beam cross-section, one with a uniform beam and the other with a Gaussian beam intensity distribution. Expressions for angular beam deflection angle are derived for both cases in terms of the total light intensity falling on the photodetector, assumed to have a square-law voltage response. Using a Gaussian beam intensity distribution from a HeNe laser, the OBD measurements were compared with those from a Michelson interferometer to show that measurements were self-consistent.     

Hidden corrosion detection in aircraft aluminum structures using laser ultrasonics and wavelet transform signal analysis

Preliminary results of hidden corrosion detection in aircraft aluminum structures using a noncontact laser based ultrasonic technique are presented. A short laser pulse focused to a line spot is used as a broadband source of ultrasonic guided waves in an aluminum 2024 sample cut from an aircraft structure and prepared with artificially corroded circular areas on its back surface. The out of plane surface displacements produced by the propagating ultrasonic waves were detected with a heterodyne Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Time-frequency analysis of the signals using a continuous wavelet transform allowed the identification of the generated Lamb modes by comparison with the calculated dispersion curves. The presence of back surface corrosion was detected by noting the loss of the S(1) mode near its cutoff frequency. This method is applicable to fast scanning inspection techniques and it is particularly suited for early corrosion detection.     

Frequency dependence of images in scanning laser source technique for a plate

Defect imaging using scanning laser source technique has been investigated for a plate with rounded defects and notch-type defects in our previous studies. This paper examines frequency dependence of the defect images with both calculations and experiments in order to acquire clearer images. Both calculation and experimental results for a straight notch revealed that clearer images of notch-type defects can be obtained in the range of low frequency-thickness product below about 200 kHz mm. Moreover, images of the defects of various shapes were obtained by synthesizing images from eight receiving transducers, and similarly to the case of the straight notches, they became more clearly in the low frequency range.     

Hyperbolic heat equations in laser generated ultrasound models

The generation of ultrasound by pulsed lasers is a thermoelastic process, and in the literature on general thermoelasticity there are presently three different forms of the heat equation in popular use, the classical, Lord-Schulman (LS), and Green-Lindsay (GL) heat equations. The question may thus arise as to which heat equation should be used to model laser generated ultrasound. The purpose of this work is to summarize the current rationale for using these different heat equations, in order to provide a basis for choosing one of the forms. A review of the classical, LS and GL theories is given, and the potential advantages of hyperbolic heat flow theories in laser ultrasonics are discussed. A numerical example is given that clearly shows the small time differences these theories predict, and also points out potential problems with using hyperbolic heat equations on small time scales.     

Transient deformation of thin metal sheets during pulsed laser forming

The transient deformation of thin grade 304 stainless steel metal sheets heated by a single pulse of a CO₂ laser beam is simulated in this paper. The laser beam is assumed to be line-shaped and the problem is treated as three-dimensional thermo-elastoplastic. The temperature field, deformation pattern, stress–strain states and the residual stress distribution of the specimens have been calculated numerically and the transient response of the bending angle has been validated by experiments. Good agreement has been obtained between the numerical simulation and the experiments under various operating conditions. The numerical study reveals that a high temperature gradient exists for a positive bending angle and a low one for a negative angle. It transpires that the mechanisms of pulsed laser forming are dependent mainly upon the laser power, the heating time, the clamping arrangement, as well as the geometry, the thermal properties and the original stress states of the specimen.     

Study of characteristics of ultrasound pulse generated by a laser pulse

I.IntroductionThegenerationofacousticpulsebylaserirradiationofametalsurfacewasfirstsuggestcdbyWhitein1963[1l.SincethatdateLaserU1trasoundtechniquchasbeendcvclopedrapidly.Becausethistechniquehasanumberoftechnicalfcatures,suchasnon-contact,highbandwidth,highhme-spacia1resolution,quantitativeteshng,generationoflongitudinal,shcarandRay1cighwaves(simu1taniously),andsoon,ithasbccnwidelyapp1icdtomcasurementsofmatcrialproperties,detectionofdefects,andcalibrationoftransd.ccrsl'-'o].Inordertodcve1opth…     

Simultaneous measurement of the phase and group velocities of Lamb waves in a laser-generation based imaging method

This paper describes a novel approach to the simultaneous measurement of the phase and group velocities of Lamb waves based on images of their propagation. The laser-generation based imaging method was first introduced to obtain images of Lamb wave propagation. The time series of snapshot images is used to make a position-time diagram, and the velocities can be estimated based on the slopes of the position curves. Thus, the phase and group velocities can be obtained by measuring the phase advance and energy flow of the Lamb wave, respectively. Details of the principle of simultaneous measurement are presented herein. Experimental verification was also performed in the range of 0.2-3.0 MHz-mm using aluminum plates. The average errors between experiment and theory in the phase and group velocities were 3.31% and 5.68%, respectively.     

Imaging anisotropic elastic properties of an orthotropic paper sheet using photorefractive dynamic holography

An important material property in the paper industry is the anisotropic stiffness distribution due to the fibrous microstructure of paper and to processing procedures. Ultrasonic methods offer a means of determining the stiffness of sheets of paper from the anisotropic propagation characteristics of elastic Lamb waves along the machine direction and the cross direction. That is, along and perpendicular to the direction of paper production. Currently, piezoelectric ultrasonic methods are employed in the industry to measure the elastic polar diagram of paper through multiple contacting measurements made in all directions. This paper describes a new approach utilizing the INEEL Laser Ultrasonic Camera to provide a complete image of the elastic waves traveling in all directions in the plane of the paper sheet. This approach is based on optical dynamic holographic methods that record the out of plane ultrasonic motion over the entire paper surface simultaneously without scanning. The full-field imaging technique offers great potential for increasing the speed of the measurement and it ultimately provides a substantial amount of information concerning local property variations and flaws in the paper. This report shows the success of the method and the manner in which it yields the elastic polar diagram for the paper from the dispersive flexural or antisymmetric Lamb wave.     

Effect of plasma confinement on laser shock microforming of thin metal sheets

Laser shock forming is conceived as a non-thermal laser forming method of thin metal sheets using the shock wave induced by laser irradiation to modify the target curvature. The plastic deformation induced by the shock wave and the direct plasma pressure applied on the material generate a residual stress distribution in the material finally leading to its bending. Using water as a confinement medium for the plasma the pressure can be increased around 10 times and the final deformation has a dramatic increase.The effect can be made clearly apparent in thin specimens (up to 1 mm). In the present study thin (100 μm) stainless steel (AISI 316) strips (1 mm long and 300 μm wide) in single and double pinned configurations have been investigated.A Nd:YAG Laser (1064 nm) with 10 ns of pulse length (FWHM) and an energy of 21 mJ per pulse is focused in the strip (spot diameter of the spot = 500 μm).Experimental and numerical studies of the influence of plasma confinement in the process and number of applied pulses are presented.The study shows that the final bending of the specimens can be controlled on a relative wide range by a stable quasi-proportional relation to the number of applied pulses and, what is considered as of major importance, that plasma confinement increases the generated pressure and thus the bending in the target.Laser shock microforming in confined configuration is considered as a technique allowing the successful processing of components in a medium range of miniaturization.     

Metal nanoparticle production by pulsed laser nanostructuring of thin metal films

The controllable nanostructuring of thin metal films by nanosecond UV laser pulses is introduced as a novel technique for the production of metal nanoparticles supported on a range of different oxide substrates, including indium tin oxide. This processing is performed at low macroscopic temperatures. The physical mechanisms underlying the nanostructuring are discussed and applications for these nanoparticle films, including as catalysts for nanotube/nanowire growth and in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy measurements, are introduced.     

Simulation of laser generated ultrasound with application to defect detection

Laser generated ultrasound holds substantial promise for use as a tool for defect detection in remote inspection thanks to its ability to produce frequencies in the MHz range, enabling fine spatial resolution of defects. Despite the potential impact of laser generated ultrasound in many areas of science and industry, robust tools for studying the phenomenon are lacking and thus limit the design and optimization of non-destructive testing and evaluation techniques. The laser generated ultrasound propagation in complex structures is an intricate phenomenon and is extremely hard to analyze. Only simple geometries can be studied analytically. Numerical techniques found in the literature have proved to be limited in their applicability, by the frequencies in the MHz range and very short wavelengths. The objective of this research is to prove that by using an explicit integration rule together with diagonal element mass matrices, instead of the almost universally adopted implicit integration rule to integrate the equations of motion in a dynamic analysis, it is possible to efficiently and accurately solve ultrasound wave propagation problems with frequencies in the MHz range travelling in relatively large bodies. Presented results on NDE testing of rails demonstrate that the proposed FE technique can provide a valuable tool for studying the laser generated ultrasound propagation. PACS 02.70.Dh; 43.35.+d; 42.62.-b     

A simple model for high fluence ultra-short pulsed laser metal ablation

The ultra-short laser metal ablation is a very complex process, the complete simulation of which requires applications of complicated hydrodynamics or molecular dynamics models, which, however, are often time-consuming and difficult to apply. For many practical applications, where the laser ablation depth is the main concern, a simplified model that is easy to apply but at the same time can also provide reasonably accurate predictions of ablation depth is very desirable. Such a model has been developed and presented in this paper, which has been found to be applicable for laser pulse duration up to 10 ps based on comparisons of model predictions with experimental measurements.     

Micromould based laser shock embossing of thin metal sheets for MEMS applications

Laser shock forming is a new material processing technology. Micro-channel with dimension of 260 μm × 59 μm was successfully fabricated on metallic foil surface using laser-generated shock wave. The work piece has a high spatial resolution at the micron-level. A series of experiments was conducted to validate the finite element model. An analysis procedure including dynamic analysis performed by ANSYS/LS-DYNA and static analysis performed by ANSYS is presented in detail to attain the simulation of laser shock embossing to predict the surface deformation. Micromould based laser shock embossing holds promise for achieving precise, well-controlled, low-cost, high efficiency of three-dimensional metallic microstructures. In addition, this technique can fabricate complex 3D microstructures directly by single pulse.     

The temperature profile in the molten layer of a semi-infinite target induced by irradiation using a pulsed laser

The two-dimensional Laplace integral transform technique has been used to compute the temperature profile of the molten layer on the surface of a semi-infinite target when irradiated by a pulsed laser. Mathematical expressions for the temperature distribution in the molten layer thickness and the solid part of the target, taking cooling and the temperature-dependent absorption coefficient of the irradiated surface into account, were obtained. As an illustrative example computations were carried out on a semi-infinite aluminum (Al) target.     

激光波长对水中金属元素激光诱导击穿光谱探测的影响

针对激光诱导击穿光谱(LIBS)在海洋应用中的问题,对1 064和532nm两个激发波长下水中LIBS光谱特性进行探测分析,以比较其烧蚀效果。通过激光诱导等离子体的时间分辨光谱,分析水下等离子体电子密度随时间的演化规律,1 064nm激光诱导等离子体寿命约为1 200ns,而532nm激光激发情况下等离子体寿命仅约为600ns。基于光在水中的传输特性和LIBS的实验结果,建立了获得最佳LIBS探测效果所需的入水前激光脉冲能量Eiopt(r)与探测距离r的关系,并应用到水下原位探测的模拟分析。结果表明,当探测距离不大于5cm时,所需的入水前1 064nm激光单脉冲能量小于100mJ,该激发波长可用于LIBS的水下探测;当探测距离增至10cm时,所需的入水前532nm激光单脉冲能量只需30mJ左右。因此,当原位探测距离增加时,则需考虑选择532nm激光作为烧蚀光源。     

The thermoelastic excitation of air-solid interface waves using the pulsed laser

In the 1920s, the solid-solid interface wave, Stoneley wave, was first studied by Stoneley. From the 1930s to 1940s, the fluid-solid interface waves, usually called Scholte wave or Scholte-Stoneley wave, were studied by Cagniard and Scholte respec-tively[1]. The Scholte wave corresponds to the real root of the fluid-solid interface secu-lar equation, which is usually called the Scholte equation, and the velocity of Scholte wave is only slightly lower than the longitudinal velocity of the f…     

Wideband low frequency generation and detection of Lamb and Rayleigh waves using electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs)

This paper describes a new type of non-contact electromagnetic transducer (EMAT) that can be used to generate both Lamb and Rayleigh waves on metal samples. The generated waves are wideband and low frequency with a dominant frequency content centred at approximately 200 kHz extending to around 500 kHz. The transducers have been used on both aluminium and steel, but operate more efficiently on aluminium due to its lower electrical resistance and density when compared to steel.     

Sub-gigahertz laser resonant ultrasound spectroscopy for the evaluation of elastic properties of micrometric fibers

The cross-section eigenmodes of micrometric cylinders were measured in the range of several tens of MHz to about 0.5 GHz. The vibrations were excited using subnanosecond laser pulses. The cross-section eigenmodes were simulated using finite element modeling in a 2D geometry. Using the method of resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, the vibration spectrum of an aluminum wire of diameter 33μm served to determine Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio with a precision of 0.7% and 0.3%, respectively. The calculated and measured frequencies of cross-section eigenmodes were fitted with a precision better than 0.5% in the 50–500 MHz range.