Flank crack detection in locomotive wheels with NDE techniques

There is a need to analyze locomotive wheels for flank cracks in a non-destructive manner in order to prevent catastrophic failures. Flaw, shape, and size are desired parameters in establishing the quality of commercial tires. A variety of defects such as voids, inclusions, surface and internal cracks, or the like, must be discerned in order to prevent failure. This paper exhibits and compares the benefits of a number of different techniques used for flaw detection. Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques used consist of magnetic particle, dye penetrant, eddy current, electro-magnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT), and longitudinal and shear wave ultrasonic inspection. The techniques vary in their ability to ascertain the flaw characteristics. Surface, sub-surface, and internal defects were visualized using the various methodologies. Magnetic particle, dye penetrant, and eddy current inspection techniques are viable methods for looking at surface flaws. Depending on the penetration depth, sub-surface flaws were also detectable via these methods. EMAT and ultrasonic transducer methods can be used to find surface, subsurface, and internal flaws based on the configuration utilized.