Laser Acoustic Molten Metal Depth Sensing in Titanium

Conference · Wed Sep 22 04:00:00 EDT 1999

OSTI ID:9233

Walter, J B ^[1]; Telschow, K L ^[2]; Haun, R E ^[3]

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1. Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company
2. INEEL
3. Retech Inc.

A noncontacting ultrasonic method has been investigated for probing the solidification front in molten titanium for the purposes of profiling the channel depth in a plasma hearth re-melter. The method, known as Laser Ultrasonics, utilized a pulsed laser for generation of ultrasonic waves at the surface of a molten metal pool. The ultrasonic waves propagated into the liquid titanium reflected from the solidification front and the boundaries of the solid plug. A Fabry-Perot interferometer, driven by a second laser, demodulated the small displacements caused by the ultrasonic wave motion at the liquid surface. The method and results of measurements taken within a small research plasma melting furnace will be described. Successful results were obtained even directly beneath the plasma arc using this all-optical approach.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Research (ER)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• OSTI ID: 9233
• Report Number(s): INEEL/CON-99-00027; ON: DE00009233
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
44 INSTRUMENTATION
INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS
Fabry-Perot Interferometer
Laser Radiation
Level Indicators
Liquid Metals
Plasma Furnaces
Solidification
Titanium
Ultrasonic Testing