Abstract
The density distribution of an aluminum sintered compact was investigated with an acoustic microscope at 15MHz in pulse-wave mode in water using propagative media. The compact was tensile tested, and the result was discussed in terms of the acoustic image corresponding to the density. Green compact specimens were filled using three procedures to obtain the different density distributions of sintered compacts. The acoustic image obtained by relative echo intensity (REI) clearly revealed the density distribution of the specimen. The fracture of the specimens originated at lower density area or at a laminated defect, which were obviously characterized in acoustic inner-images before the tensile testing. The REI was significantly reduced at remarkably elongated areas where lower density areas had been observed before testing. The acoustic image was able to detect pore growth and substantial local elongation of the specimen to obtain the change in REI.
