Non-destructive evaluation of coating thickness using guided waves

Pierre-Claude Ostiguy; Nicolas Quaegebeur; Patrice Masson

doi:10.1117/12.2084299

1 April 2015 Non-destructive evaluation of coating thickness using guided waves

Pierre-Claude Ostiguy, Nicolas Quaegebeur, Patrice Masson

Proceedings Volume 9437, Structural Health Monitoring and Inspection of Advanced Materials, Aerospace, and Civil Infrastructure 2015; 94371K (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2084299
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Among existing strategies for non-destructive evaluation of coating thickness, ultrasonic methods based on the measurement of the Time-of-Flight (ToF) of high frequency bulk waves propagating through the thickness of a structure are widespread. However, these methods only provide a very localized measurement of the coating thickness and the precision on the results is largely affected by the surface roughness, porosity or multi-layered nature of the host structure. Moreover, since the measurement is very local, inspection of large surfaces can be time consuming. This article presents a robust methodology for coating thickness estimation based on the generation and measurement of guided waves. Guided waves have the advantage over ultrasonic bulk waves of being less sensitive to surface roughness, and of measuring an average thickness over a wider area, thus reducing the time required to inspect large surfaces. The approach is based on an analytical multi-layer model and intercorrelation of reference and measured signals. The method is first assessed numerically for an aluminum plate, where it is demonstrated that coating thickness can be measured within a precision of 5 micrometers using the S0 mode at frequencies below 500 kHz. Then, an experimental validation is conducted and results show that coating thicknesses in the range of 10 to 200 micrometers can be estimated within a precision of 10 micrometers of the exact coating thickness on this type of structure.

Citation Download Citation

Pierre-Claude Ostiguy, Nicolas Quaegebeur, and Patrice Masson "Non-destructive evaluation of coating thickness using guided waves", Proc. SPIE 9437, Structural Health Monitoring and Inspection of Advanced Materials, Aerospace, and Civil Infrastructure 2015, 94371K (1 April 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2084299

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available