Implementation and Use of a Laser-Ultrasonic System in a Deformation- and Quenching Dilatometer

Abstract

State of the art of in-situ analysis on grain structure of metals during thermal and stress treatment is done by observation of the probe in a thermomechanical treatment system. Potential analysis methods are high energy x-ray scattering (e.g. in a synchrotron) or laser-ultrasonics (LUS). The most commonly used thermomechanical system, is the so called “Gleeble” from Dynamic Systems Inc., which is able to heat and load the material in a quite fast manner with extremely high heating rates, very high forces and fast force changes. There is a wide area of research and applications, though, where these capabilities are not fully required, a less complex deformation-and quenching dilatometer would often be sufficient. In this paper we will show the implementation of a LUS system in such a dilatometer and compare it to the “all inclusive” Gleeble system, pointing out benefits and downsides on different aspects, like the technical specifications, the needed footprint and more. A sketch of the full system and the beam path will show the general idea on the implementation of the LUS system into the dilatometer. We will also present first results of a thermal treatment on a metal sample suited for grain structure and phase transition analysis.