Eddy Current Testing in the Quantitive Assessment of Degradation State in MAR247 Nickel Superalloy with Aluminide Coatings

Abstract In this paper, the effectiveness of the eddy current methodology for crack detection in MAR 247 nickel-based superalloy with aluminide coatings subjected to cyclic loading was investigated. The specimens were subjected to force-controlled fatigue tests under zero mean level, constant stress amplitude from 300 MPa to 600 MPa and a frequency of 20 Hz. During the fatigue, a particular level of damage was introduced into the material leading to the formation of microcracks. Subsequently, a new design of probe with a pot core was developed to limit magnetic flux leakage and directed it towards the surface under examination. The suitability of the new methodology was further confirmed as the specimens containing defects were successfully identified. The changes in probe resistance values registered for damaged specimens ranged approximately from 8 to 14%.