Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) technique for Sub-Surface Crack Characterization for Non-Ferrous Metals in Propulsion System Components

Prime Photonics proposes to build on our successful Phase I SBIR effort to elevate the TRL of a novel non-destructive inspection technique to enable detection, localization, and characterization of subsurface cracks in non-ferrous components within Navy propulsion systems. Under the Phase I effort, Prime Photonics demonstrated the ability to detect and localize cracks in the bore of medium caliber gun barrels. The Phase I hardware was able to locate cracks in ferrous samples that had machined surface features (rifling) and non-ferrous coatings (chromium plating). We were also able to detect qualitatively changes in general material characteristics in mechanically damaged areas within the bores of retired barrels.