Methodology for minimizing effects of temperature in monitoring with the acousto-ultrasonic technique

Abstract

The acousto-ultrasonic (AU) technique can be a useful methodology for monitoring structures or mechanical components during endurance tests, fatigue tests or, in general, during the life of the components. To obtain reliable information about the failure and fatigue cracks at their earliest initiation stages and to follow their evolution regardless of any disturbance effects, refined experimental procedures and signal processing are needed. In particular, the effects of temperature variation cannot be entirely suppressed and are difficult to evaluate. This means that the results of the AU technique are not immediately interpretable and usable for monitoring structures. This paper describes some procedures aimed at minimizing the effects of disturbance on AU signals caused by temperature variation, allowing use of AU for monitoring over extensive periods of time or when the component is subjected to heating.