Abstract
Ultrasound thermography detects defects by radiating 20 ~ 30 kHz ultrasound waves to the samples and capturing the heat generated from the defects with the use of an infrared thermographic camera. This technology is being spotlighted as a next-generation NDE for the automobile and aerospace industries because it can test large areas and can detect defects such as cracks and exfoliations in real time. The heating mechanism of the ultrasound vibration has not been accurately determined, but the thermomechanical coupling effect and the surface or internal friction are estimated to be the main causes. When this heat is captured by an infrared thermographic camera, the defects inside or on the surface of objects can be quickly detected. Although this technology can construct a testing device relatively simply and can detect defects within a short time, there are no reliable data about the factors related to its detection ability. In this study, the ultrasound thermography technique was used to manufacture gasoline and diesel engine piston specimens, and nondestructive reliability tests to verify the applicability and validity of the ultrasound thermography technique.
