Researchers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, have developed the Temperature-Amplitude Spectrum (TAS) method, enabling effective detection of cracks caused by vibration fatigue. The method is based on thermoelastic principles and uses high-speed infrared cameras that capture images at up to 3000 frames per second, allowing real-time monitoring of cracks at structure’s natural frequencies up to 500 Hz without interrupting the testing process.
The study demonstrated that the TAS method enables precise identification of the initiation points and propagation paths of cracks in various materials, including aluminum and 3D-printed polymers. Cracks smaller than 0.2 mm were identified, highlighting the method’s exceptional spatial resolution. Due to its precision, minimal surface preparation requirements, and adaptability to different materials, the method is suitable for a wide range of industrial applications where structural monitoring is critical.
The new method represents a significant advancement in non-destructive material testing and can contribute to improving the safety and durability of mechanical systems undergoing vibration loads. Using the developed method, any vibration-induced failure can be recognized at early stages and directly attributed to the particular natural frequency or frequency range of excitation. With such information available, the improvements of the product can be implemented in a faster and more reliable manner, thus resulting in a shorter duration for the development of the product. Details of the research are available in an article published in International Journal of Mechanical Sciences (IF=7.1).