1.1 Purpose—This practice covers procedures required to conduct an examination of components using vibroacoustic thermography.

1.2 Application—The vibroacoustic thermography process has been used for component inspections in the aircraft, power generation, automotive, and other industries for testing new and serviced components, both coated and uncoated. Current applications are mostly targeting metallic components, but composite and ceramic component applications are under development (1).2

1.3 Background—Vibroacoustic thermography is a new technique within the area of active thermography. The technique was first published by Henneke, et al. in 1979 (2) and has been expanded on and popularized by Favro, et al. (3). During the test, a defect thermal response resulting from a short burst of ultrasonic energy typically in the range of 15 kHz to 40 kHz is detected by an infrared camera. The ultrasound coupled into the component being tested can activate a thermal response in defects with contact areas that can move against each other, that is, cracks and delamination. There are different energizing and coupling techniques that are commonly used depending on the needs and capabilities. These variations and the down selection process are not included in the procedure and should be developed/optimized by experimentation for each new component application.

Note 1: Vibroacoustic thermography is typically sensitive to tight planar defects (4). Volumetric defects such as porosity, inclusions, open ruptures, or cracks in wide-open areas, will not typically result in an indication. Therefore, an augmenting method should be conducted to detect volumetric defects. (See Terminology E1316.)

Note 2: Vibroacoustic thermography is a surface examination but has demonstrated detection sensitivity for subsurface defects including back wall defects for thin components (5), (6). Care should be taken when developing vibroacoustic thermography for the detection of subsurface defects.

1.4 Warnings: 

1.4.1 Warning—Vibroacoustic thermography requires the energization of the test article with vibrational energy. During energization, the complete component may be excited with vibroacoustic (vibration) energy for as long as several seconds. The development of this test for a new application requires special measurements, precautions, and attention to component response. The component design engineer and the NDE engineering specialist knowledgeable of this technique should be satisfied that the test will not cause damage or reduction of service life.

1.4.2 Warning—Vibroacoustic thermography, like any other NDT technology, requires thorough development and testing for each application, including clear definition of the inspection objective, as well as development of objective means to distinguish between rejectable indications and conditions that should not be cause for rejection. Incomplete development and application will result in high incidence of improper rejections and high incidence of defect "misses." The images produced by many vibroacoustic thermography inspections can otherwise lead to inspector fatigue and ineffective evaluations.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.