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Sensors in Nondestructive Testing

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A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Industrial Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2025) | Viewed by 8061

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yihua Kang

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Guest Editor

School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: nondestructive testing methods and instruments; signal processing techniques; machine learning methods; sensors and actuators

Dr. Bo Feng

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Guest Editor

Prof. Dr. Jianbo Wu

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Guest Editor

School of Mechanical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Interests: nondestructive testing and evaluation; sensors; structure health monitoring
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nondestructive testing (NDT) technologies, along with advanced sensors and signal processing techniques, play an important role in ensuring product quality during production. With the emergence of challenges in inspecting more complex structures under more complicated environments, sensor technologies in NDT have undergone great advancements.

There have been many recent advances in the development of sensors in NDT technologies, including eddy current testing, magnetic flux leakage testing, ultrasonic testing, guided wave testing and some other methods. Moreover, the finite element simulation and analytical calculation of electromagnetic fields and ultrasonic fields have played an important role in the development of NDT sensors. Furthermore, the advancement of electronic circuit design and digital signal processing techniques has greatly improved the sensor signals in NDT.

This Special Issue invites authors to submit high-quality research articles that cover but are not limited to different topics of Sensors in Nondestructive Testing:

Advanced NDT sensors;
Optimization of NDT sensors;
Analytical models for designing NDT sensors;
Numerical computation of electromagnetic fields;
New applications of NDT;
Novel signal processing algorithms for sensor signals.

Prof. Dr. Yihua Kang
Dr. Bo Feng
Prof. Dr. Jianbo Wu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

electronic circuit design for NDT sensors
nondestructive testing
material characterization
electromagnetic fields
magnetic flux leakage testing
eddy current testing
magnetic particle inspection

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 7975 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving the Efficiency and Quality of Sustainable Industrial CT by Optimizing Scanning Parameters

by Íñigo Fonfría, Ibon Holgado, Naiara Ortega, Ainhoa Castrillo and Soraya Plaza

Sensors 2025, 25(8), 2440; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25082440 - 12 Apr 2025

Viewed by 252

Abstract

Industrial Computed Tomography (CT) is a widely used Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technique for evaluating internal and external geometries with high accuracy. However, its integration into industrial workflows is often hindered by long scan times and high energy consumption, raising sustainability concerns. This study introduces a novel approach to improving CT efficiency by integrating real-time energy consumption monitoring into the scanning process. A power measurement device was used to correlate scan parameters with energy usage and image quality, enabling a data-driven approach to parameter optimization. Results show that higher voltages improve image quality up to 32%, when evaluated using Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR) amongst other image quality metrics, while reducing overall energy consumption by up to 61%. The results presented support the optimization of CT scan parameters by providing quantitative guidelines to balance efficiency, image quality, and sustainability. Additionally, deviations in dimensional measurements obtained through CT scans were compared against reference data from a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), with differences up to ±45 μm. The findings contribute to enhancing CT performance while minimizing environmental impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensors in Nondestructive Testing)

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10 pages, 4223 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of Sub-pT Field of Magnetic Responses in Metals and Magnetic Materials by Highly Sensitive Magnetoresistive Sensors

by Hyuna Ahn, Ayana Tanaka, Yuta Kono, Suko Bagus Trisnanto, Tamon Kasajima, Tomohiko Shibuya and Yasushi Takemura

Sensors 2025, 25(3), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25030776 - 27 Jan 2025

Viewed by 686

Abstract

We developed a measurement system capable of detecting magnetic responses in various material samples. The system utilizes an excitation coil to apply an alternating magnetic field within the frequency range of 1–10 kHz. The magnetic field generated in the samples was detected using a highly sensitive magnetoresistive sensor. The system demonstrated a detection lower limit in the sub-pT range for magnetic fields arising from magnetic responses such as eddy currents and magnetization changes. The frequency dependence of the detected signal intensities correlated well with the physical mechanisms underlying the magnetic responses. Notably, the distance between the excitation coil and the magnetic sensor was maintained at 300 mm. These results, which demonstrate the detection of a sub-pT magnetic field using a highly sensitive magnetic sensor, have not been previously reported and provide valuable insights for advancing practical applications in non-destructive testing and clinical diagnostic imaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensors in Nondestructive Testing)

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14 pages, 13361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multimodal Non-Destructive In Situ Observation of Crystallinity Changes in High-Density Polyethylene Samples with Relation to Optical Parameters during Tensile Deformation

by Karoline Felbermayer, Sandrine van Frank, Bettina Heise, Markus Brandstetter, Christian Rankl, Harald Ladner and Peter Burgholzer

Sensors 2024, 24(19), 6367; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24196367 - 30 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1169

Abstract

Many non-destructive optical testing methods are currently used for material research, providing various information about material parameters. At RECENDT, a multimodal experimental setup has been designed that combines terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), infrared (IR), and Raman spectroscopy with a tensile test stage. This setup aims to gather material information such as crystallinity and optical parameters of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) during a tensile test. The setup compares common IR and Raman spectroscopy and the less common optical methods THz and OCT. Complementarity is achieved through different frequency ranges and measurement approaches, resulting in different measured optical material parameters and depths. During tensile testing, HDPE samples with varying crystallinity were analysed, and the determined optical parameters such as refractive index, birefringence, scattering coefficient of decay, and penetration depth can be correlated with the change in crystallinity. These findings demonstrate that the optical methods and their outcomes can be interconnected. With further optimization of the experimental setup, it would be possible to observe the alignment of fibres in fibre composite panels and the stress distribution of polymers effectively. This opens interesting possibilities for polymer characterization in the future, including quality control during moulding processes and material testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensors in Nondestructive Testing)

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14 pages, 4333 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Eddy Current-Based Delamination Imaging in CFRP Using Erosion and Thresholding Approaches

by Dario J. Pasadas, Mohsen Barzegar, Artur L. Ribeiro and Helena G. Ramos

Sensors 2024, 24(18), 5932; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24185932 - 13 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1104

Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is a composite material known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, stiffness, and corrosion and fatigue resistance, making it suitable for its use in structural components. However, CFRP can be subject to various types of damage, such as delamination, matrix cracking, or fiber breakage, requiring nondestructive evaluation to ensure structural integrity. In this context, damage imaging algorithms are important for assessing the condition of this material. This paper presents signal and image processing methods for delamination characterization of thin CFRP plates using eddy current testing (ECT). The measurement system included an inductive ECT probe with three coil elements, which has the characteristic of allowing eddy currents to be induced in the specimen with two different configurations. In this study, the peak amplitude of the induced voltage in the receiver element and the phase shift between the excitation and receiver signals were considered as damage-sensitive features. Using the ECT probe, C-scans were performed in the vicinity of delamination defects of different sizes. The dimensions and shape of the ECT probe were considered by applying the erosion method in the damage imaging process. Different thresholding approaches were also investigated to extract the size of the defective areas. To evaluate the impact of this application, a comparison is made between the results obtained before and after thresholding using histogram analysis. The evaluation of damage imaging for three different delamination sizes is presented for quantitative analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensors in Nondestructive Testing)

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19 pages, 14168 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Depth Size Based on Layered Magnetization by Double-Sided Scanning for Internal Defects

by Zhiyang Deng, Dingkun Qian, Haifei Hong, Xiaochun Song and Yihua Kang

Sensors 2024, 24(11), 3689; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24113689 - 6 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 985

Abstract

The quantitative evaluation of defects is extremely important, as it can avoid harm caused by underevaluation or losses caused by overestimation, especially for internal defects. The magnetic permeability perturbation testing (MPPT) method performs well for thick-walled steel pipes, but the burial depth of the defect is difficult to access directly from a single time-domain signal, which is not conducive to the evaluation of defects. In this paper, the phenomenon of layering of magnetization that occurs in ferromagnetic materials under an unsaturated magnetizing field is described. Different magnetization depths are achieved by applying step magnetization. The relationship curves between the magnetization characteristic currents and the magnetization depths are established by finite element simulations. The spatial properties of each layering can be detected by different magnetization layering. The upper and back boundaries of the defect are then localized by a double-sided scan to finally arrive at the depth size of the defect. Defects with depth size of 2 mm are evaluated experimentally. The maximum relative error is 5%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensors in Nondestructive Testing)

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13 pages, 6527 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Residual Magnetic Field Testing System with Tunneling Magneto-Resistive Arrays for Crack Inspection in Ferromagnetic Pipes

by Shuxiang Zhao, Junqi Gao, Jiamin Chen and Lindong Pan

Sensors 2024, 24(11), 3259; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24113259 - 21 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1540

Abstract

Ferromagnetic pipes are widely used in the oil and gas industry. They are subject to cracks due to corrosion, pressure, and fatigue. It is significant to detect cracks for the safety of pipes. A residual magnetic field testing (RMFT) system is developed for crack detection in ferromagnetic pipes. Based on this background, a detection probe based on an array of tunneling magneto-resistive (TMR) sensors and permanent magnets is exploited. The probe is able to partially magnetize the pipe wall and collect magnetic signals simultaneously. First, a theoretical analysis of RMFT is presented. The physics principle of RMFT is introduced, and a finite element model is built. In the finite element simulations, the effects of the crack length and depth on the RMFT signal are analyzed, and the signal characteristics are selected to represent the crack size. Next, the validated experiments are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed RMFT method in this paper. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensors in Nondestructive Testing)

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14 pages, 13087 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detecting of Barely Visible Impact Damage on Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Using Diffusion Ultrasonic Improved by Time-Frequency Domain Disturbance Sensitive Zone

by Yuqi Ma, Fangyuan Li, Jianbo Wu, Zhaoting Liu, Hui Xia and Zhaoyuan Xu

Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3201; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103201 - 17 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1315

Abstract

Based on the decorrelation calculation of diffusion ultrasound in time-frequency domain, this paper discusses the repeatability and potential significance of Disturbance Sensitive Zone (DSZ) in time-frequency domain. The experimental study of Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID) on Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) is carried out. The decorrelation coefficients of time, frequency, and time-frequency domains and DSZ are calculated and compared. It has been observed that the sensitivity of the scattered wave disturbance caused by impact damage is non-uniformly distributed in both the time and frequency domains. This is evident from the non-uniform distribution of the decorrelation coefficient in time-domain and frequency-domain decorrelation calculations. Further, the decorrelation calculation in the time-frequency domain can show the distribution of the sensitivity of the scattered wave disturbance in the time domain and frequency domain. The decorrelation coefficients in time, frequency, and time-frequency domains increase monotonically with the number of impacts. In addition, in the time-frequency domain decorrelation calculation results, stable and repetitive DSZ are observed, which means that the specific frequency component of the scattered wave is extremely sensitive to the damage evolution of the impact region at a specific time. Finally, the DSZ obtained from the first 15 impacts is used to improve the decorrelation calculation in the 16-th to 20-th impact. The results show that the increment rate of the improved decorrelation coefficient is 10.22%. This study reveals that the diffusion ultrasonic decorrelation calculation improved by DSZ makes it feasible to evaluate early-stage damage caused by BVID. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensors in Nondestructive Testing)

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