SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of the application of a patented microwave scanning device as a portable NDE methodology to perform monitoring of the health of ceramic armor from non-projectile impacts. The scanning process utilizes microwaves as an interrogating beam to penetrate a dielectric material. The microwaves combine and form an interference pattern that is reflected at areas of changing dielectric constant. This method has been used successfully in preliminary studies on many different types of dielectric materials, including monolithic ceramics and samples of Stryker and ASV program armor panels. This method has also been shown to be capable of providing a quick and accurate identification of discontinuities in ceramic material samples. This method permits real time evaluation by inspection from one surface only, through non-contacting encapsulation such as Kevlar or rubber, saving access time and cost. Evisive microwave scanning technology has been demonstrated for the Army through Argonne National Laboratory. The included letter of support from TARDEC refers to that investigation.

Keywords:
Microwave, Nde, Armor, Ceramic, Nondestructive Examination, Inspection

This project will develop a field portable nondestructive technique for in-situ monitoring of the health of ceramic armor. The Evisive Scan microwave interference scanning method has been successfully demonstrated in Phase I of the project, where it was demonstrated successfully on Control Specimens and ceramic armor Surrogates designed and fabricated by ARL, and on samples of armor from Stryker and ASV programs. The patented scanning process utilizes microwaves as an interrogating beam to penetrate a dielectric material. The interference pattern of the reflected microwave signal is displayed as an Evisive Scan image and indicates the presence of a potential defect, internal structure of interest, or change in material dielectric properties. In Phase II, Evisive will mature the technique demonstrated in Phase I into a field portable system, fabricate two prototype systems and follow field use of the prototype systems at the depot level. The finalized NDE System design will be provided for commercial production and utilization by the US Army in Phase III of this project, where the program will be self funding. It is intended that the portable nondestructive health monitoring tool will be deployed with current forces and included as a tool for future weapons programs. In their letter of support, Associate Director for Survivability, Tank, Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) has expressed interest in the resulting technology. Deployment of the condition monitoring system will reduce risk to warfighters and improve weapons system operating cycle cost.

Keywords:
Non-Destructive Evaluation (Nde), Microwave Or Millimeter Wave, Data Acquisition, Composites, Ceramic, Manufacturing Process, Process Improvement, Ris