METHOD OF DETECTING PRE-DESTRUCTION ZONES IN WELDED JOINTS OF HEAT-RESISTANT STEELS Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC G01N29/04 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: delay time of surface acoustic waves is determined and welded joints undergo electron microscope analysis after different periods of operation, wherein the delay time is measured for surface acoustic waves which are polarised in two mutually perpendicular directions, in the welded joint in the initial state, as well as in the welded joint under analysis, and specifically in the metal in joints and weld-adjacent zones after a chosen period of operation according to the inspection schedule; further, based on measurement of local long-range internal stress fields and delay time of surface acoustic waves, an acoustic criterion is determined for estimating the service life of welded joints on the basis of which pre-destruction zones in the welded joints of heat-resistant steels are determined.

EFFECT: possibility of detecting pre-destruction zones at different stages of the life cycle of equipment at hazardous production facilities after prolonged operation.