Use of Ultrasonics to Determine the Crack Size in High Strength Steel Gun Barrels
Abstract
The use of high strength steel for large calibre gun barrels has increased the possibility that fatigue crack growth, as opposed to wear and erosion, will determine the safe life of a barrel. This is the case for the 5- in/54 Naval Gun. Because fatigue cracking may lead to catastrophic failure, it is necessary to provide some form of life prediction that will ensure that fatigue cracks or other damage will not grow to a critical size. Fortunately such a provision can be confidently based on fracture mechanics. The role of non-destructive testing is to check the crack length predictions and to ensure that cracks corresponding to the critical crack size for rapid fracture at the design load are not attained while the barrel remains in service. The ultrasonic end-on probe technique described provides a simple method of rapidly detecting, locating and sizing cracks without shadowing, and without the need for calculations required by other techniques.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA159405
Entities
People
- G. Wulf
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group