Development of Novel Non-Destructive Inspection Technique Using High-Frequency Signal Transmission Characteristics

Abstract

A novel non-destructive inspection (NDI) technique that utilizes high-frequency signal transmission characteristics was developed as a more reliable, faster and cheaper NDI technique. This technique forms a transmission circuit that includes the specimen, and detects the signals generated by any surface breaking-defect. In this research, quantitative measurement of closed fatigue cracks was implemented via a newly developed probe. The greatest advantage of this technique is that there is no significant difference in detection of defects in either paramagnetic materials or in ferromagnetic materials. Therefore, the potential effects of corrosion, ferrite content, or deformation martensite on the measurement signals are minimized, and a better S/N ratio can be expected. This technique can also be used to measure the size of defects in components, including welded components, and its detection sensitivity is less than 1 mm for surface breaking-defects.