The objective of the subject program was to apply nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods to assess the integrity of FP/Mg composites. The material investigated was ZE41A magnesium alloy reinforced with FP (aluminum oxide) fiber. Twenty-one specimens (three specimens of each of six flawed and three unflawed specimens) were evaluated using ultrasonic scanning, wave propagation velocity, wave attenuation coefficient, and x-ray radiograph inspection techniques. The results for two of the 21 specimens are included herein.

After the NDE inspections were completed, a representative specimen from each of the seven groups was sectioned and micrographs were made for comparison with the NDE records. It was found that ultrasonic scanning using a 15 MHz compression wave, focused transducer operated in the pulse-echo mode generating an analog C-scan gave the best pictorial results. The wave attenuation and wave propagation velocity measurements were found to be consistent with the ultrasonic C-scans, but x-ray radiography was useful only at locations of gross material defects.