Effect of Grit Blast Profile, Paint, and ER347 Welds on Surface Wave Ultrasonic Inspection of 17-4PH / 15-5PH CRES PHM Foil Structures, H.J. Schlichtmann, Boeing Marine Systems Document D312-80998-1, 27 Apr 93 (0160)
Tests were conducted to determine the effects of grit blast profile, paint thickness and ER347 welds on the ability to detect fatigue flaw growth in 17-4PH/15-5PH structures by surface wave ultrasonic inspection (UT) techniques. PHM reference notch calibration standards were selected for use in the profile and paint evaluation. These standards were blast finished and painted within the range of blast profiles and paint thicknesses anticipated for PHM strut and foil structures. Additional standards were fabricated with EDM notches located in the 17-4PH base metal and at varying distances from the fusion line of ER347 welds. The results indicated that these structures can be inspected for weld and base metal flaws at the surface using a 1.0 MHz transducer.