PROCESS FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING USING DIRECT STRAIN IMAGING
A process for non-destructive testing includes applying a photo-curable dye to a surface of an article, selectively curing an array of dots of the photo-curable dye on the surface, removing the photo-curable dye that has not been selectively cured, mechanically testing the article, and direct strain imaging the article during the mechanical testing based on the array of dots.
1 . A process for non-destructive testing, the process comprising:
applying a photo-curable dye to a surface of an article;
selectively curing an array of dots of the photo-curable dye on the surface;
removing the photo-curable dye that has not been selectively cured;
mechanically testing the article; and
direct strain imaging the article during the mechanical testing based on the array of dots.
2 . The process as recited in claim 1 , wherein the array of dots includes a first array and a second array, the first array having a first pitch and the second array having a second pitch different than the first pitch.
3 . The process as recited in claim 1 , wherein the article is an additive manufactured article.
4 . The process as recited in claim 1 , wherein the surface of the article includes a joint.
5 . The process as recited in claim 1 , wherein the selective curing is conducted by a laser.
6 . The process as recited in claim 5 , wherein, for each dot of the array of dots, the laser is oriented normal to the surface.
7 . The process as recited in claim 5 , wherein the laser is mounted on a robotic device configured to move relative to the part according to computer instructions.
8 . The process as recited in claim 1 , wherein the applying of the photo-curable dye to the article includes applying a film of the photo-curable dye.
9 . The process as recited in claim 1 , wherein the surface is in an internal cavity of the article.
10 . The process as recited in claim 1 , wherein the article is formed of solid rocket propellant.
11 . An article for non-destructive testing, comprising:
an article body having a surface; and
an array of dots disposed on the surface, the array of dots being formed of a photo-cured dye and configured for direct strain imaging.
12 . The article as recited in claim 11 , wherein the array of dots includes a first array and a second array, the first array having a first pitch and the second array having a second pitch different than the first pitch.
13 . The article as recited in claim 11 , wherein the article body defines an internal cavity, and the surface is in the internal cavity.
14 . The article as recited in claim 11 , wherein the article body is formed of solid rocket propellant.
15 . The article as recited in claim 11 , wherein the article body is additive manufactured.
16 . The article as recited in claim 11 , wherein the article body includes a joint.