Sophisticated Microwave Nondestructive Testing Method for Metals

Abstract

The present paper describes theoretically and experimentally the possibility of such electron gas interaction with low-frequency ultrasonic waves, which the authors determine as a newly revealed phenomenon or even discovery, changing the physical concept of metal destruction processes and metal ageing. In contrast to previous experiments in determining surface cracks by MW method, the author has produced new experimental data in identifying invisible metal defects, i.e. active defects. Although the described method is based on the well-known Acoustic Emission (AE) method, there are significant differences. Firstly, according to calculations and experiment results the propagation speed of active defects generated by this new method is close to the speed of light. Secondly, in contrast to single AE events, occurring under conditions of excessive mechanical force, displayed signals in this new method can be detected during a time-interval excluding an additional mechanical load. Finally, the non-contact detection of dangerous defects, i.e. active defects, indicates the advantageous aspect of this new method to the contact AE method. This paper presents experimental data, sustaining the possible practical application of an advanced remote indicator of active defects (RIAD) as a diagnostic technique for steam railway car wheels in motion mode, testing reliability parameters of rotating turbine blades and operating sucker rod pumps.