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Automated Surface Microstructure Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Process for Aerospace Materials
Title: Principal Investigator
Phone: (512) 263-2101
Email: mwarchol@tri-austin.com
Title: Contracts Administrator
Phone: (512) 263-2101
Email: mfellingham@tri-austin.com
ABSTRACT: TRI/Austin proposes to develop an ultrasonic (UT) based non-destructive evaluation (NDE) system that can detect and characterize the tailored surface grain size distribution in aerospace nickel and titanium alloys. Many metals are now engineered via heat treating processes to adjust the grain size to meet the demands in a specific area of a part. Acoustic microscopy, attenuation/backscattering, phase at peak and birefringence techniques will be evaluated and compared for accuracy and repeatability of grain size measurement. BENEFIT: Successful implementation would allow designers to further tailor specific areas of parts and measure the size and distribution of grain size throughout the part in order to assess the effectiveness of the heat treating process(es). The technique would additionally help identify unwanted morphologies that are be detrimental to the strength and/or life of the part.
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