Intermediate temperature scanning acoustic microscope

This report presents a description of and results on the modification of the Scanning Acoustic Microscope (SAM) for use in in-situ observations of material changes at intermediate temperatures (0 approximately 500°C). Described are the key problems and their solutions (i.e., the thermal protection of the transducer and the peripheral equipment, the acoustic lens design for elevated temperature, the scanning mechanism, and the coupling medium). The SAM was used for imaging the healing process of internal defects of the GF/PEEK composite caused by the soft body impact. The results clearly demonstrate the usefulness of the SAM imaging with temperature control at high enough temperatures to monitor in-situ materials undergoing changes in material.