Non-destructive Tests
Non-destructive Tests

Research and applicative activities on non-destructive testing and structural health monitoring of structural materials and components are performed both experimentally and numerically. Traditional and advanced techniques are employed, while innovative ones are developed. Additionally, in-service monitoring and prognostics are studied and implemented.
INSTRUMENTS & FACILITIES
- Harfang X32 phased array ultrasonic flaw detector with 2.25, 5 and 10 MHz probes. Encoders for C-Scan mapping
- Eddify M2M Mantis phased array ultrasonic flaw detector with 2.25 and 5 MHz probes. TOFD, conventional ultrasonic channels and TFM functionalities are available, as well
- RDG500 and RDG2500 conventional ultrasonic flaw detectors with straight, twin, angled and creeping probes
- Innerspec Temate Powerbox H EMAT ultrasonic flaw detector with permanent magnets and coils for different beam forming opportunities
- Specific equipment for implementing and managing Lamb and guided ultrasonic waves
- Vallen AMSY-6 acoustic emission unit (8-channels). Managed by the PoliNDT interdepartmental lab
- Nortec 1000S+ eddy current flaw detector with probes working at a 500-2000 Hz frequency range
- NSI X25 x-ray micro-computed tomography scanner. Managed by the AMALA interdepartmental lab
- Electromagnetic yokes and permanent magnets for colour contrast and fluorescent magnetic particles (calibration blocks, luxmeter, radiometer, UV lights, ASME probe, gaussmeter)
- Colour contrast and fluorescent liquid penetrants (calibration blocks, luxmeter, radiometer, UV lights, thermocouples, chronometer)
- Lenses, mirrors and dedicated white and black lights for visual testing
- CIVAnde specific software package for NDT simulations (ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, radiographic testing and x-ray computed tomography)
- AST X-Stress 3000 portable X-ray diffractometer
- Equipment for holographic interferometry and for transmission and reflection photo-elasticity.
ACTIVITIES
Experimental and numerical characterization of NDT capabilities
- Characterization of experimental “Probability of Detection” curves for different NDT methods
- Characterization of numerical “Model Assisted Probability of Detection” and “Multi-Parameter Probability of Detection” curves for different NDT methods
- Interaction between NDT capabilities and the damage tolerant design approach
Traditional and advanced ultrasonic testing of materials and components
- Phased array monitoring of fatigue crack propagation in adhesive bonded composite lap-joints
- TOFD inspection of welded and seamless metallic pipes
- Guided waves monitoring of pipes and rails
- Residual stress measurements in railway wheels by EMAT
- Application of creeping waves to coarse grain metals
Structural health monitoring by ultrasonic lamb waves
- Determination and characterization of dispersion curves in metallic, composite and polymeric components
- Definition of an innovative way to induce a single anti-symmetric propagation mode of Lamb waves
- Analysis of the reflection and transmission of Lamb waves through artificial delaminations in composite laminates
- Analysis of the reflection and transmission of Lamb waves through natural defects, obtained by low energy impacts, in composite laminates
Structural health monitoring by acoustic emission
- In-service monitoring of railway axles by means of acoustic emission
- In-service monitoring of adhesive bonded joints by means of acoustic emission
- Comparison of acoustic emission response with optical, micro-computed tomography scans and ultrasonic NDT approaches during crack propagation tests
- Comparison of acoustic emission response with low frequency vibrations during crack propagation tests
- Post-processing and interpretation of acoustic emission data by machine learning and artificial intelligence
Eddy current testing of corrosion-fatigue phenomena
- Experimental eddy current measurements of developing corrosion-fatigue damage in small-scale specimens and full-scale components
- Correlation between damage and eddy current response at different stages of corrosion-fatigue life
- Numerical simulations of eddy current response at different stages of corrosion-fatigue life