Numerical Simulation on Stress Measurement with Eddy Current Thermography

Abstract

Stress in components will lead to the change of material properties and even failure. Therefore, the assessment for the stress state of components is play an important role in testing industry. As a non-contact and multi-physical field nondestructive testing method, eddy current thermography (ECT) can be applied to detect non-homogeneous electromagnetic characteristics parameter distribution in conductive materials. Internal stress and its distribution in a material will affect the value of electromagnetic characteristic parameters. If induction current applied on conductive material, the Joule’s heat, which generate in the sample will lead to the temperature rise on the surface of the specimen by induction heating process. The temperature distribution on the specimen surface can be recorded by infra camera and stored as IR images or videos. The feature of the temperature distribution and its variation can be used to express the stress state in the specimen. It is concluded that there is an approximate linear relationship between the surface temperature appreciation and the loading force when the excitation source condition remains unchanged.