SBIR Phase I: Non Destructive Evaluation of Hard Alpha Inclusions in Titanium Alloys and Damage Effects Due to Fatigue Using Photon Induced Positron Annihilation (PIPA)

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将进行研究，旨在提高关键钛合金部件中夹杂物的检测水平和表征。这些钛缺陷被标记为低密度或高密度夹杂物，可显著影响关键机身结构和喷气发动机部件，导致灾难性故障。目前对钛合金中硬质α夹杂物的无损检测仅限于成分表面或附近的相对较大的夹杂物，导致漏检缺陷的可能性很高。将开发光子诱导正电子湮没(PIPA)分析，以便在制造过程的早期在铸件的任何位置检测这些夹杂物，并作为现场使用的NDI技术进行评估，该技术可用于评估运行中的飞机部件的损伤积累。除了使用钛的其他行业外，利用光子诱导正电子湮没检测硬阿尔法夹杂的研究和开发在航空航天工业中也产生了广泛的影响。这项技术的发展对提高飞机安全性以及维护、监视和更换昂贵的航空部件具有重要意义。随着对钛夹杂物损伤影响的了解的提高，目前在检查和部件更换方面的许多成本可以大幅降低。随着钛在许多价值数十亿美元的行业中使用量的增加，PIPA对夹杂物损伤的检测将对整个钛及相关行业变得越来越重要。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will perform research aimed at improved detection levels and characterization of inclusions in critical titanium alloy components. Labeled as either low-density or high-density inclusions, these titanium defects can significantly impact fracture-critical airframe structures and jet engine components, resulting in catastrophic failures. The non-destructive detection of hard alpha inclusions in titanium alloys is currently limited to relatively large inclusions that are on or near the component surface, resulting in high potential for missed defects. Photon Induced Positron Annihilation (PIPA) analysis will be developed to detect these inclusions early in the manufacturing process at any location in the casting, and evaluated as a field use NDI technology that can be used to assess damage buildup in operational aircraft components. Research and development in the area of hard alpha inclusion detection using Photon Induced Positron Annihilation has broad impacts in the aerospace industry, in addition to other industries where titanium is used. Development of this technology has primary implications relative to improved aircraft safety and in the maintenance, surveillance, and replacement of highly expensive aerospace components. With improved knowledge of titanium inclusion damage effects, many current costs in the areas of inspection and component replacement can be substantially reduced. With the increasing usage of titanium in many multi-billion dollar industries, PIPA detection of inclusion damage will become increasingly important to the overall titanium and related industries.