Ultrasound puts materials to the test

Abstract

When a DC 10 crashed in Sioux City Iowa, in 1989, the accident was attributed to a tiny defect in the titanium alloy used in the engine. Defects in materials have caused many other accidents, not only in aerospace but also in nuclear facilities and the oil and chemical industries. A major challenge across all of these sectors is to develop methods to detect such flaws without damaging the finished component. As well as safety applications, such non-destructive techniques can be used to determine the lifetimes of components and to improve product quality.