Remote Ultrasonic Imaging of a Wire Arc Additive Manufactured Ti-6AI-4V Component using Laser Induced Phased Array

• Published in: 2021 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC) pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Lukacs, Peter, Davis, Geo, Stratoudaki, Theodosia, Williams, Stewart, MacLeod, Charles N., Gachagan, Anthony
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 17.05.2021
• Subjects: additive manufacturing; Additives; laser ultrasonics; Lasers; Phased arrays; remote sensing; Shape; Titanium alloys; Ultrasonic imaging; Wires
• ISSN: 2642-2077
• DOI: 10.1109/I2MTC50364.2021.9459823

Additive manufacturing (AM) has been revolutionizing the manufacturing industry due to its ability to significantly reduce waste and produce components with intricate shapes. Laser Ultrasonics (LU) is a non-contact and couplant free method to generate and detect ultrasound. LU can accommodate complex component shapes; thus, it has the potential to provide a reliable in-process inspection method for AM components. In recent years the development of Laser Induced Phased Arrays (LIPAs) helped overcome the inherently low signal amplitudes of LU at the non-destructive, thermoelastic regime. In this paper, the Full Matrix Capture data acquisition method is used and a LIPA of 68 elements is synthesized in post processing. The Total Focusing Method imaging algorithm is applied for ultrasonic imaging. The technique is demonstrated on a highly scattering titanium alloy Wire Arc Additive Manufactured (WAAM) component producing high quality ultrasonic images, accurately imaging defects at depths up to 10mm below the inspection surface.