AN ULTRASONIC SENSOR FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE MATERIALS PROCESSING

A sensor has been developed and tested thar is capable of emitting and receiving ultrasonic energy at temperatures exceeding 900 degrees C a nd pressures above 150 MPa. The sensor works with standard ultrasonic pulser-receivers and has demonstrated the capability of measuring work piece deformation during hot isostatic pressing. Details of the sensor design, performance, and coupling of the ultrasound to the workpiece are described. Ultrasonic data acquired by the sensor in-situ during h ot-isostatic-pressing runs are presented.