Detection of Corrosion using RF emissions

Corrosion is a ubiquitous phenomenon causing the degradation and failure of crucial infrastructure. It is known that in a metallic structure undergoing galvanic corrosion, impinging RF signals can be non-linearly mixed together in metal-to-metal contacts, leading to the emission of intermodulation products of these RF signals. In our Phase I effort, Tanner demonstrated an approach that monitored IM signals from corroded sites to detect and track progress of corrosion. As corrosion progresses and degrades the material properties of these sites, distinct signatures are seen in the IM signals, providing a path towards identifying and tracking the progression of corrosion, even in hidden or unexposed areas. In Phase II, Tanner proposes to design, assemble, characterize, and deliver a corrosion detection prototype capable of monitoring galvanic corrosion on metallic surfaces from stand-off distances. Tanner will deliver a handheld prototype that can be used to inspect the location of interest, collect these signals, analyze them, and display the results to the operator through a graphical user interface. The proposed prototype will be characterized on a variety of both lab and real-world corroded samples to validate the operation of the instrument before delivery to MDA. Approved for Public Release | 16-MDA-8951 (15 December 16)