Thermal Imaging Analysis of Stimulated Heat Diffusion in Sheet Metal for Non-Destructive Metrology and Testing

2005 ◽  
Vol 6-8 ◽  
pp. 681-688
Author(s):  
B. Spellenberg ◽  
J. Zettner ◽  
T. Hierl ◽  
M. Haller ◽  
T. Lenzi

Recent developments in infrared camera technology, testing methods and data processing algorithms have brought significant progress for high resolution spatial and temporal analysis of thermal radiation. Together with industry standard automation technology and specific infrared image data processing it became possible to non destructively inspect laser welded seams and other types of joints using heat flux analysis subsequent to thermal stimulation. High thermal diffusion coefficients of the usually metallic samples under test make the availability of high-speed infrared cameras as a key hardware component indispensable. Since high-speed infrared cameras with frame rates of at least 500 Hz have become available for commercial applications, non-destructive testing systems with a new class of performance were designed, manufactured, and implemented at industrial sites. Heat flux analysis as a new and robust method of non-destructive testing has been implemented for various types of equipment, ranging from off-line tools for laboratory use to automated robot based systems enabling fast and operator-free in-line inspection. Depending on environment, implementation surroundings, and geometry of objects to be inspected, different types of pulsed or continuous operating heat sources (e.g. flash light, laser, … ) are selected. Due to its outstanding industrial relevance non-destructive testing of laser welded seams in automobile manufacturing is shown in detail in this paper.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1003
Author(s):  
Christoph Tuschl ◽  
Beate Oswald-Tranta ◽  
Sven Eck

Inductive thermography is a non-destructive testing method, whereby the specimen is slightly heated with a short heating pulse (0.1–1 s) and the temperature change on the surface is recorded with an infrared (IR) camera. Eddy current is induced by means of high frequency (HF) magnetic field in the surface ‘skin’ of the specimen. Since surface cracks disturb the eddy current distribution and the heat diffusion, they become visible in the IR images. Head checks and squats are specific types of damage in railway rails related to rolling contact fatigue (RCF). Inductive thermography can be excellently used to detect head checks and squats on rails, and the method is also applicable for characterizing individual cracks as well as crack networks. Several rail pieces with head checks, with artificial electrical discharge-machining (EDM)-cuts and with a squat defect were inspected using inductive thermography. Aiming towards rail inspection of the track, 1 m long rail pieces were inspected in two different ways: first via a ‘stop-and-go’ technique, through which their subsequent images are merged together into a panorama image, and secondly via scanning during a continuous movement of the rail. The advantages and disadvantages of both methods are compared and analyzed. Special image processing tools were developed to automatically fully characterize the rail defects (average crack angle, distance between cracks and average crack length) in the recorded IR images. Additionally, finite element simulations were used to investigate the effect of the measurement setup and of the crack parameters, in order to optimize the experiments.


2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. S. Rusli ◽  
I. Z. Abidin ◽  
S. A. Aziz

Eddy current thermography is one of the non-destructive testing techniques that provide advantages over other active thermography techniques in defect detection and analysis. The method of defect detection in eddy current thermography has become reliable due to its mode of interactions i.e. eddy current heating and heat diffusion, acquired via an infrared camera. Such ability has given the technique the advantages for non-destructive testing applications. The experimental parameters and settings which contribute towards optimum heating and defect detection capability have always been the focus of research associated with the technique. In addition, the knowledge and understanding of the characteristics heat distribution surrounding a defect is an important factor for successful inspection results. Thus, the quantitative characterisation of defect by this technique is possible compared to the conventional non-destructive which only acquired qualitative result. In this paper, a review of the eddy current thermography technique is presented which covers the physical principles of the technique, associated systems and its applications. Works on the application of the technique have been presented and discussed which demonstrates the ability of eddy current thermography for non-destructive testing of conductive materials.   


2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasarudin Ahmad ◽  
Ruzairi Abdul Rahim ◽  
Herlina Abdul Rahim ◽  
Mohd Hafiz Fazlul Rahiman

Although the technique of using ultrasound has reached maturity by given the extent of the development of sensors, but the use of the various areas still can be explore. Many types of ultrasonic sensors are still at conventional in use especially for measurement equipment in the industry. With the advancement of signal processing techniques, high-speed computing, and the latest techniques in image formation based Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, the usage of ultrasound in concrete NDT testing is very extensive because the technique is very simple and should not damage the concrete structure to be investigated. Many of the parameters need to be tested using ultrasound techniques to concrete can be realized. Starting with the initial process for of concrete mixing until the concrete matured to the age of century old. Various tests are available to test a variety of non-destructive of concrete completely, in which there is no damage to the concrete, through those where the concrete surface is damaged a bit, to partially destructive testing, such as core tests and insertion and pull-off test, which surface to be repaired after the test. Testing parameter features that can be evaluated using non-destructive testing and destructive testing of some rather large and include basic parameters such as density, elastic modulus and strength and surface hardness and surface absorption, and reinforcement location, size and distance from the surface. In some cases it is also possible to check the quality of the workmanship and structural integrity of the ability to detect voids, cracks and delamination. A review of NDT using ultrasound on concrete are presented in this paper to highlight the important aspect to consider when one to consider the application and development of ultrasound testing on concrete by considering ultrasound signal capturing, processing and presenting.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 12168
Author(s):  
Yoonjae Chung ◽  
Seungju Lee ◽  
Wontae Kim

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a broad group of testing and analysis techniques used in science and industry to evaluate the properties of a material, structure, or system for characteristic defects and discontinuities without causing damage. Recently, infrared thermography is one of the most promising technologies as it can inspect a large area quickly using a non-contact and non-destructive method. Moreover, thermography testing has proved to be a valuable approach for non-destructive testing and evaluation of structural stability of materials. Pulsed thermography is one of the active thermography technologies that utilizes external energy heating. However, due to the non-uniform heating, lateral heat diffusion, environmental noise, and limited parameters of the thermal imaging system, there are some difficulties in detecting and characterizing defects. In order to improve this limitation, various signal processing techniques have been developed through many previous studies. This review presents the latest advances and exhaustive summary of representative signal processing techniques used in pulsed thermography according to physical principles and thermal excitation sources. First, the basic concept of infrared thermography non-destructive testing is introduced. Next, the principle of conventional pulsed thermography and signal processing technologies for non-destructive testing are reviewed. Then, we review advances and recent advances in each signal processing. Finally, the latest research trends are reviewed.


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