Reliability Characterization of Solid Metal Structures Using Ultrasonic Techniques

The resonant frequency of an object is its natural response to an oscillating vibration force that is imparted on it. At the resonant frequency, the response from the object is amplified as the force is synchronous with its natural vibrating motion frequency. Due to the amplified response, resonance is a great way to push the limits of an object and view how it acts under intense stress. A research project is currently ongoing to develop a non-destructive methodology which utilizes vibrational resonance to test 3D-printed metal structures. Samples from the HVAMC as well as a machined piece of the same metal underwent the proposed test methodology. During testing, the goal was to determine how the percent infill and the printing direction affect the material properties of metals. All testing samples were able to provide insight into how the material properties change as a result of additive manufacturing. In this talk, the nature of vibrating solids will be introduced; the results of the feasibility testing of our proposed non-destructive test will be discussed and the outcomes of long term fatigue testing using the new test methodology will be overviewed.