Ultrasonic testing

Materials science

Engineering drawing

Engineering

Composite material

Manufacturing process

Ultrasonic sensor

Physics

Aerospace engineering

Optics

Acoustics

Selective laser melting

Computer science

Nondestructive testing

Automotive industry

Radiology

Laser

Aerospace

Medicine

Mechanical engineering

The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology

Additively manufactured components are gaining popularity in aerospace, automotive and medical engineering applications. Additive manufacturing (AM) offers tremendous cost advantages over traditional manufacturing methods. However, inter- and intra-layer defects are observed in AM components. Moreover, the lack of appropriate testing methods for assessing the integrity of AM components deters its use, despite the several functional advantages it has to offer. Non-destructive testing (NDT) forms the most common and convenient way of inspecting parts. In this paper, a laser ultrasonic technique for the inspection of AM components is proposed. The results demonstrate laser ultrasonic testing (LUT) as a promising method for the non-contact inspection of additive manufactured components. Furthermore, the results were validated using X-ray computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonic immersion testing (UIT). The sample used in this study was manufactured through selective laser melting (SLM) AM process with built-in holes representing defects.

Laser ultrasonic inspection of additive manufactured components