OI1 Turning up the Heat on NDE

Ultrasonics and acoustic emission are techniques currently being considered by many manufacturers for monitoring materials processes. Before the potential of these techniques can be fully realized, the interaction between ultrasonic waves and materials must be understood and described quantitatively. Many processes take place under conditions other than ambient, and chief among these is high temperature. Exposure to high temperatures causes most materials, and especially composites, to soften. Their viscosity decreases until their behavior approximates that of a viscous fluid. Examples of high temperature industrial processes are resin transfer molding, molten metal infiltration, rheocasting of alloys of composite metals and laser drilling/shaping.