Positrons as a nondestructive probe of damage in structural materials
Abstract
The paper examines the feasibility of applying the experimental data and theoretical modeling on the annihilation of positrons in matter into an NDI technique for the detection of structural damage in metals. The mean life of positrons was measured in an aluminum structural alloy with varying degrees of plastic strain; a correlation useful of NDI was found between the positron mean life and the degree of strain, noting the effect of the T6 tempering process. These data suggest that it may be possible to create positron annihilation life history curves for structural components. The advantages of this technique are (1) its sensitivity to small amounts of damage, (2) it is nondestructive, and (3) the surface or the interior of a sample may be probed by a proper choice of positron source.
- Publication:
-
In: Nondestructive evaluation of materials. (A80-40788 17-38) New York
- Pub Date:
- 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979ndem.book..479W
- Keywords:
-
- Materials Tests;
- Metal Fatigue;
- Nondestructive Tests;
- Positron Annihilation;
- Structural Failure;
- Aluminum Alloys;
- Microstructure;
- Plastic Deformation;
- Reactor Materials;
- Service Life;
- Instrumentation and Photography