Pulsed eddy current imaging and frequency spectrum analysis for hidden defect nondestructive testing and evaluation

Hidden defect characterisation in some complex structures is difficult. Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) imaging based on rectangular excitation coil is investigated in this paper and hidden defect nondestructive testing and evaluation (detection, classification, and quantification) is carried out based on the various C-scan images. Experimental results have illustrated that hidden defects can be identified effectively by particular character in C-scan imaging results and sub-surface defects can be discriminated to correct class by selecting the rising time from response in time domain. The quantification information of hidden defects is preliminarily obtained based on the contour and 3D images. In addition, PEC imaging and frequency spectrum analysis are effective to detect, classify, and evaluate the sub-surface defects under the influence of edge effect of specimen. To sum up, PEC imaging is an effective approach to characterise hidden defects and sub-surface defects. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.