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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/N018249/1
Title: Manufacturing with Light Phase 2: Photoelasticity for sub-surface stress measurements in structural ceramics coating systems
Principal Investigator: Moore, Professor AJ
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Dr P Schemmel
Project Partners:
Renishaw plc (UK) Rolls-Royce Plc
Department: Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Organisation: Heriot-Watt University
Scheme: Standard Research - NR1
Starts: 01 February 2016 Ends: 15 September 2019 Value (£): 435,819
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Design of Process systems Manufacturing Machine & Plant
Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics
Related Grants:
EP/N018141/1
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
13 Aug 2015 Manufacturing with Light 2 Interviews Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
Birefringence is a difference in refractive index that occurs along different axes in a material. In some materials this effect is intrinsic due to the atomic structure. In other materials, artificial birefringence can be induced by a mechanical stress that produces anisotropies in the material. Polarized waves travel at different velocities through the stressed regions depending on their polarization direction. This phenomenon is exploited in the well-established technique of photoelasticity, in which a model of the component of interest is made in an optically transparent plastic material and placed between polarizing optics. The induced birefringence is directly proportional to the stress experienced at a given point: contours of constant difference in the principal stresses and contours of the principal stress direction appear as fringe patterns. The technique has played a fundamental role in experimental mechanics, design and manufacturing.

This project is concerned with measuring the stress-induced birefringence in materials that are opaque at visible wavelengths. We will use THz illumination up to 7.5 THz where some fraction is transmitted through a range of non-polar materials including ceramics, plastics and composites. Measuring the stress-induced birefringence will provide information on the internal stress distribution in real components that are opaque at visible wavelengths, removing the need to model it in transparent plastic as in photoelasticity. Measurement from the real components also enables direct validation of numerical models. These new techniques will enable in-process control during manufacturing applications and in-service quality assurance, for a range of materials where this is not currently available, enabling step changes in the manufacturing processes used and the components that can be produced.

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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.hw.ac.uk