Interfacial defects detection in plasma-sprayed ceramic coating components using two stimulated infrared thermography techniques

Two Lock-in InfraRed Thermography (LIRT) techniques were developed and applied to detect interfacial defects in a ceramic coated steel plate deposited by plasma spraying technology. Stimulations were performed either by electromagnetic waves (lamps) or by high power ultrasonic waves (sonotrode). The first one is based on remote optical heating of the area of interest; while the second technique is based on the mechanical loss angle effect, occurring locally and for particular defects such as cracks and delaminations. The potential of these two techniques was evaluated against artificial (calibrated holes) and real (disbonding) interfacial defects. The results show success and also some limitations of both LIRT techniques in function of sizes and depths of ceramic coating interfacial defects. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.