High Confidence, Rapid Alloy Identification

ABSTRACT: The objective of this proposed effort is to develop a procedure that provides high confidence discrimination between (at a minimum) aluminum, titanium and magnesium alloys through dirt, paint and other coatings of interest to the Air Force. The goal is to develop a hand-held alloy identification method that can be performed within a few seconds and one that requires only a few minutes of setup time. The JENTEK MWM and MWM-Array sensing technology can reliably measure the electrical conductivity of alloys, as well as characterize coatings, typically used in aircraft structures and engines. Both directional conductivity measurements and multiple frequency methods will be used to enhance discrimination, as appropriate. JENTEKs new hand-held product will be updated in this SBIR to deliver reliable alloy identification. This SBIR will also investigate complimentary sensing methods and available component information that can improve alloy discrimination confidence when combined with the MWM data.; BENEFIT: JENTEKs new 7-channel hand-held instrumentation is an extension of its 8200-series instrumentation which provides increased data acquisition rates, reduced noise and thermal drift as well as simultaneous data acquisition at multiple frequencies. This easily portable, low-cost system developed under this SBIR will provide value for rapid alloy identification, in a wide range of commercial markets from automotive to commercial aerospace. Together with the MWM-Array technology, the method can provide high confidence alloy identification through dirt, paint and coatings, including metallic coatings typically used in aircraft engine components. Alloy identification without chemical stripping, cleaning or coating removal offers huge savings in cost and time.