Inclusion Detection in Aluminum Alloys Via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

• Published in: Metallurgical and materials transactions. B, Process metallurgy and materials processing science Vol. 49; no. 2; pp. 658 - 665
• Main Authors: Hudson, Shaymus W., Craparo, Joseph, De Saro, Robert, Apelian, Diran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.04.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: ALUMINIUM ALLOYS; ALUMINIUM OXIDES; Aluminum; Aluminum base alloys; Aluminum oxide; Casting; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; CHEMISTRY; Chemistry and Materials Science; Concentration (composition); INCLUSIONS; Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy; Lasers; MATERIALS SCIENCE; MELTING; Melts; Metal matrix composites; Metallic Materials; METALLOGRAPHY; Metallurgy; MONITORING; Nanotechnology; OXYGEN; Signal monitoring; SIGNALS; SIMULATION; SPECTROSCOPY; Structural Materials; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Variation; LIBS Data; LIBS Measurements; Molten Aluminum; Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS); Oxide Volume Fraction
• ISSN: 1073-5615; 1543-1916
• DOI: 10.1007/s11663-017-1092-8

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has shown promise as a technique to quickly determine molten metal chemistry in real time. Because of its characteristics, LIBS could also be used as a technique to sense for unwanted inclusions and impurities. Simulated Al 2 O 3 inclusions were added to molten aluminum via a metal-matrix composite. LIBS was performed in situ to determine whether particles could be detected. Outlier analysis on oxygen signal was performed on LIBS data and compared to oxide volume fraction measured through metallography. It was determined that LIBS could differentiate between melts with different amounts of inclusions by monitoring the fluctuations in signal for elements of interest. LIBS shows promise as an enabling tool for monitoring metal cleanliness.