NDE of titanium alloys - An overview

This paper discusses a range of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methodologies for characterization of microstructure, evaluation of properties and defects occurring during fabrication and during in-service of titanium alloys and components. The paper covers the developmental work carried out in the authors' laboratory and elsewhere for the assessment of microstructures, mechanical properties, plastic deformation and fatigue damage in titanium alloys using ultrasonics, non-linear ultrasonics, microthermography, photoacoustics etc. A few case studies for developing the NDE procedures for evaluation of defects in weldments of components made of titanium alloys, such as power take off shaft of a light combat aircraft, fuel tanks of satellites, jet engine compressor rotors and condensers of nuclear power station using various nondestructive methodologies including ultrasonic testing, real time radiography, micro focal radiography, video microscopy, eddy current testing etc. are also discussed in the paper.