Project Title:

Failure Prediction By A Novel Non-Destructive X-Ray Technique

04.11-5800
Project Title:Failure Prediction By A Novel Non-Destructive X-Ray Technique
Company:Brimrose Corporation of America
Baltimore, MD 21236
Principal Investigator:

Abstract:

A recent breakthrough in fatique failure prediction has been demonstrated by a method
known as  DARC (Digital Automated Rocking Curve) Diffractometry.  This method is
a non-destructive X-ray procedure which measures directly the accrued microstructural
damage, thus permitting an assessment of the remaining useful life.  This technique
is a departure from the conventional X-ray methods which are normally useful over
only the first 10-20% of component life.  DARC Diffractometry, by comparison, is
useful over the full range of fatigue lifetimes.  It is proposed here to broaden
the range of applicability of the DARC technique.  Preliminary work on the age-hardened
aluminum alloy 2024-T4 is extremely promising, and warrants further investigation.
 In the proposed study, alloys such as AA 2024, 7075, 7050 and 7150 which have wide
usage as structural materials will be investigated.  This technique can also be used
to study corrosion fatique failure in the above mentioned alloys.