Publications & Standards

Detecting Substandard, Nonconforming, Improperly Processed and Counterfeit Materiel

2020

This report presents the motivation, background, methods and results of a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) project that developed and demonstrated production-level approaches for using Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) to detect counterfeit, substandard, nonconforming, and improperly processed materiel for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)

Additive Manufacturing Process Monitoring and Control Technologies

2019

Vibrant demonstrated its PCRT-based approach on AM component populations with variation in build processes, feedstock powder, and post-processing. Sample populations evaluated in this study included a range of AM processes, materials, and component geometries. Vibrant’s demonstrations included the detection of process variation and defective material states. Vibrant also conducted a business case analysis that showed how PCRT will reduce costs, improve yield, and enhance supply chain flexibility.

Process Compensated Resonance Testing for Qualification of Additively Manufactured Launch and Space Vehicle Components

2019

This report details the motivation, background, methodology, and demonstration of Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) and PCRT Modeling as a method for qualification of additively manufactured (AM) materials, processes, components, and models for launch and space vehicles.

Aircraft Brake Titanium Torque Tube Heat Damage Nondestructive Inspection

2019

This report presents the motivation, background, methods, and results of a Phase I SBIR feasibility study regarding viable methods for determining the material properties of heat affected Titanium 6Al-4V(Ti-64) components. This study reviewed results of Ultrasonic testing (UT), Eddy Current testing (ET), hardness testing, Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT), and color evaluation of Ti-64 samples before and after various heat treatments.

Alternative Nondestructive Testing Inspection Method of In-Service Aircraft Bolts and Wheels

2019

This report presents the motivation, background, methods, and results of a Phase II SBIR project that continued the development of Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) as an alternative nondestructive inspection (NDI) method for in-service wheels and bolts for Air Force aircraft. The activities included significantly expanded data collection of hundreds of acceptable and dozens of defective wheels and bolts across multiple organizations and locations to build training libraries and configure PCRT inspections (Sorting Modules). PCRT Sorting Modules were found to be sensitive to structural damage and defects found in wheels and bolts such as cracks, over temperature exposure, and gouges. Phase II included the development of a prototype proof-of-concept wheel production system deployed at a civilian maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) wheel and brake shop. The production system was shown to handle high wheel system throughput in an operational environment and validate PCRT [...]

Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy Frequency Prediction Due to Damage Evolution

2018

Final report for program expanding PCRT modeling techniques to include: geometries representative of actual gas turbine hardware, single crystal (SX) Ni-base superalloy, and titanium alloys; accurately modeling and demonstrating detection of material states of interest including creep strain and primary crystallographic orientation; and verification and validation of the PCRT Modeling tools and techniques.

Uncertainty Quantification in Modeling and Measuring Components with Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy

2017

This report presents the motivation, background, methods and results of a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project that continued the development and application of an uncertainty quantification (UQ) process for models and measurements made with Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT).

Process Compensated Resonance Testing for Detection of Counterfeit, Substandard, Nonconforming, and Improperly Processed Materiel

2017

This report presents the motivation, background, methods and results of a Phase I STTR project that demonstrated the feasibility of using Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) to detect counterfeit, substandard, nonconforming, and improperly processed materiel for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

Alternative Nondestructive Testing Inspection Method of In-Service Aircraft Wheels and Bolts

2017

This report presents the motivation, background, methods and results of a Phase I SBIR project that evaluated the feasibility of using Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) as an alternative NDI method for in-service wheels and bolts for Air Force aircraft. Working with an aerospace MRO organization, Vibrant compiled sample sets of actual in-service wheels and bolts and demonstrated PCRT Sorting Modules for these components, detecting cracks, overheat and other damage.

Understanding of Resonance Ultrasound Spectroscopy Signature in Precipitate Coarsening of Nickel-Base Superalloy

2014

This report describes the development of forward and inverse modeling techniques capabilities for the resonances of components made of nickel-based (Ni-base) superalloys. These modeling techniques enable PCRT to evolve beyond its historically data-driven approach. RUS/PCRT applications have required large amounts of empirical data in the form of measured resonance frequencies, but the conditions of interest are not always available in sample populations. Forward modeling enables the prediction of resonance frequency changes in response to material conditions, geometric variations and defects of interest. Inverse modeling enables the determination of material state from measured or modeled resonance frequencies.

Ceramic Bearing Non-Destructive Evaluation Round Robin Evaluation Final Report

2012

The purpose of this project was to evaluate Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) as a nondestructive evaluation method for ceramic balls. PCRT uses measured resonant frequencies of parts to detect surface and internal flaws. For ceramic balls, internal defects and bulk material property variations are detected by measuring shifts of resonant peaks to lower or higher frequencies. Surface defects are detected by measuring degeneracy in surface acoustic waves. A PCRT inspection detects both internal and external defects in a single sweep, and returns an automated pass/fail result.

Hybrid Bearings Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE)

2011

Report summarizing Vibrant’s work to optimize the PCRT methods for detection of bulk material, and surface defects on SiN balls, and to create an Automated Ball Testing System.

Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) – An Advanced Characterization Technique to Improve Durability of Fracture Critical DoD Components

2008

Report summarizing the use of a Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) System to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting fractures and thermal mechanical fatigue (TMF) in critical turbine engine components.

Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) of High Velocity Oxygenated Fuel (HVOF) coated Landing Gear (LG) components

2008

Vibrant Corporation utilized Process Compensated Resonant Testing (PCRT) System to complete feasibility studies and initial designs of a PCRT System for non-destructive testing (NDT) of Landing Gear (LG) components with HVOF-coatings. PCRT results showed good correlation to grinding burns.

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Read Vibrant’s publications, white papers and ASTM Standards to keep you up-to-date on the latest with PCRT.

Detecting Substandard, Nonconforming, Improperly Processed and Counterfeit Materiel

Additive Manufacturing Process Monitoring and Control Technologies

Process Compensated Resonance Testing for Qualification of Additively Manufactured Launch and Space Vehicle Components

Aircraft Brake Titanium Torque Tube Heat Damage Nondestructive Inspection

Alternative Nondestructive Testing Inspection Method of In-Service Aircraft Bolts and Wheels

Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy Frequency Prediction Due to Damage Evolution

Uncertainty Quantification in Modeling and Measuring Components with Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy

Process Compensated Resonance Testing for Detection of Counterfeit, Substandard, Nonconforming, and Improperly Processed Materiel

Alternative Nondestructive Testing Inspection Method of In-Service Aircraft Wheels and Bolts

Understanding of Resonance Ultrasound Spectroscopy Signature in Precipitate Coarsening of Nickel-Base Superalloy

Ceramic Bearing Non-Destructive Evaluation Round Robin Evaluation Final Report

Hybrid Bearings Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE)

Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) – An Advanced Characterization Technique to Improve Durability of Fracture Critical DoD Components

Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) of High Velocity Oxygenated Fuel (HVOF) coated Landing Gear (LG) components

Patents

ASTM Standards