Nondestructive monitoring of structural materials using automated ball indentation (ABI) technique

Materials used for high temperature components in nuclear power generation, aerospace, chemical and process plants undergo changes in their microstructure during operation in service leading to degradation in their mechanical properties. Monitoring the progressive changes in the mechanical properties is very important from the point of view of ensuring the structural integrity of the components and also for possible extension of their useful service life. Nondestructive methods for directly evaluating the mechanical properties are required for the success of any materials aging and life management program. In this paper, we describe an innovative automated technique based on ball indentation that can be used for laboratory and field applications in order to measure the mechanical and fracture properties of materials. Typical results from laboratory studies on engineering materials are also presented. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.