SBIR Phase I: Non-Destructive Hydrogen Embrittlement Detection for High Strength Steels Using Induced Positron Annihilation Technologies

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将开发一种基于诱导正电子湮灭的高强度合金氢脆（HE）损伤的现场使用无损测量能力。该项目的主要目标是展示这种创新技术，用于检测、量化、深度剖面和评估与关键航空航天部件相关的高强度合金的氢脆损伤进展。许多航空航天部件（例如起落架）已经被证明在预期寿命结束之前很久就会出现早期HE故障，从而影响飞行安全。因此，将开发一种基于物理的检测工具，可用于在损伤过程中的任何点检测和测量高强度合金中的HE，适用于许多行业的制造和现场测量应用。这种便携式HE检测工具的开发将显著改善关键制造过程的制造过程控制/质量控制，同时提高安全性，并从根本上改变组件维护、监视和更换标准的要求。通过提供一种全新的HE检测方法，这一革命性的进步将为航空航天和其他行业提供竞争优势。这个项目的更广泛的影响将继续研究诱导正电子湮灭在氢脆损伤中的应用。这项工作不仅可以提供电流损坏的信息，还可以提供部件剩余寿命的信息。这项技术将改善过程控制/质量控制和安全，并将对许多行业中组件的设计、制造和使用的许多方面产生积极影响。这项技术将使潜在的氢脆机械更安全、成本更低；提供长期利益的制造商，维修人员和操作人员的机器受到这种类型的损害。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a field use, nondestructive measurement capability for hydrogen embrittlement (HE) damage in high-strength alloys based on induced positron annihilation. The primary objective of this project will be to demonstrate this innovative technology for the detection, quantification, depth profiling, and assessment of damage progression for hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength alloys associated with critical aerospace components. Numerous aerospace components (e.g., landing gear) have been shown to be subject to early HE failure long before the expected end of life thereby impacting flight safety. Consequently, a physically-based detection tool will be developed that can be used to detect and measure HE in high-strength alloys at any point in the damage progression suitable for manufacturing and field measurement applications in numerous industries. Development of this portable HE detection tool will significantly improve manufacturing process-control/quality control for critical manufacturing processes of concern, while improving safety and radically changing requirements for component maintenance, surveillance and replacement criteria. This revolutionary advancement in HE detection capability will provide a competitive advantage for the aerospace and other industries by providing a fundamentally new approach for the detection of HE.The broader impacts of this project will be continued work on Induced Positron Annihilation applications to hydrogen embrittlement damage. This work will provide information not only on current damage, but also on the remaining life of components. This technology will improve process control/quality control and safety, and will positively impact many aspects of the design, manufacturing, and use of components in numerous industries. This technology will result in safer and less expensive operations of potentially hydrogen embrittled machinery; providing long term benefits to manufacturers, maintainers, and operators of machinery subject to this type of damage.