July 12, 2002—The Electrochemical Fatigue Sensor System monitors fatigue in metals, and is capable of detecting smaller cracks than any other practical non-destructive test method, according to its developer, Material Technologies (MATECH).
Material Technologies (MATECH), a company engaged in the research and development of metal fatigue detection, measurement, and monitoring technologies, has just delivered a laboratory model Electrochemical Fatigue Sensor System (EFS) to Lucius Pitkin, New York, New York. This apparatus will be used by Lucius Pitkin, a provider since 1885 of engineering and metallurgical consulting and analytical and non-destructive services, to evaluate the performance of the EFS in detecting very small cracks in steel weldments. If the testing is successful, MATECH anticipates an alliance with Lucius Pitkin to market the technology.
The US Air Force has evaluated the EFS and has stated it is capable of detecting cracks as small as 10 microns (0.0004 in). It is usable on any metallic structure that is subject to cyclic loads, e.g. highway bridges, cranes, aircraft, jet engines, and more.
