Enhanced Scanning Thermography for Large Scale Composite NDE

The effort proposed will validate the methods needed to achieve an enhanced crystalline structure in TERFENOL-D drivers. These new materials are expected to show substantially increased magnetostrictive performance (20-40% increase in strain, 10-20%reduction in hysteresis) as compared to baseline, large diameter ECG materials. This performance is expected to be on a similar level to FSZM materials, but will be available in much larger diameters than the 8mm maximum of FSZM.In Phase I, a rudimentary method for achieving enhanced crystalline alignment will be proven. Some of the critical process parameters will be explored, and others will be defined. In Phase II, this foundation of information will be used to develop a fullscale process for reliable, day-to-day production of these materials. Phase II will also include an evaluation of full-sized samples to directly compare them against drivers in an established configuration.TERFENOL-D is a new competitive technology suitable for several different commercial and military applications, such as fuel injectors, braking systems, semiconductor bonding clamps, mine avoidance/removal, hazardous waste remediation, acoustic sources,dental tools, sono chemistry, construction tools, active machine tool control, rubber recycling, and enhanced oil recovery.ETREMA Products, Inc. was established to commercialize TERFENOL-D and transfer the technology from a laboratory discovery to industry and is now recognized as the world leader in the growing manufacturing sector for this material. ETREMA's marketinghistory is evident in the corporation's growth statistics. ETREMA has successfully established an international market for TERFENOL-D material, devices, and R&D services to develop solutions for industrial problems. Proof of its success is bestillustrated in the year-over-year sales increases running between 50-100% over the last 6 years.ETREMA stands ready to implement any advantageous developments from the proposed effort. Substantial increases in the magnetostrictive performance will only accelerate the insertion of TERFENOL-D into the already growing market.