Development of Eddy Current Testing System for Complicated-Shaped Components

Abstract

  The objectives of this study are to develop a new inspection probe for complex structures using eddy current testing method (ECT), to establish the recognition technique of real flaw shape such as stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and to develop a rapid nondestructive inspection system. An ECT system consists of measurement and computational modules that are connected via a network circuit. The measurement module includes a flexible ECT sensor, which could fit on the curvature surface of radius larger than 25 mm with a mechanical manipulator. The computational module is used for SCC sizing. It includes a database of ECT signals that are used to execute numerical calculations. SCC sizing can be evaluated by comparing the measured ECT signals with the calculated ECT signals within the database. We have demonstrated that the system could be used to estimate the SCC length and depth sizing in 140 s. The accuracy of length sizing showed an RMS error of 3.7 mm and the depth sizing was 0.63 mm in this work.