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NIGHTSEA Applications Crack and Failure Analysis with Fluorescence


Fluorescence is a valuable tool for failure analysis, helping investigators see what they might otherwise miss. Fluorescence indicators of various types – including fluorescent penetrants, magnetic particles, and other fluorescent dyes – are commonly used to highlight cracks or defects that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to see. The fluorescence makes them stand out in high contrast. The NIGHTSEA fluorescence adapter systems can be used with microscopes at a variety of scales for detailed examination of these features. Here we show images made with a stereo microscope and with a Keyence digital microscope.


Note that all of the images below were made using the Royal Blue excitation/emission option. While this kind of analysis is normally associated with Ultraviolet, we find that the Royal Blue option is an excellent choice for working with a wide variety of fluorescent indicators.


First, some small cracks highlighted with fluorescent penetrants. Concrete Thin Section Fluorescence


Fluorescence is a valuable tool in the concrete petrographic world, especially for the examination of thin sections (on the order of 20μm). There are a variety of techniques for introducing the fluorescence to the sample, most commonly by impregnating the sample under vacuum with an epoxy containing a fluorescent dye, or by replacing the water in the sample with a fluorescently marked ethanol.


Fluorescence can make features of interest stand out in high contrast, or can be compared to a reference to make quantitative measurements. Among the characteristics that can be studied are: Pore size and location, Water to cement ratio, Microstructure, Fractures and cracks


Once the fluorescence has been introduced to the sample it is generally examined under a microscope. The NIGHTSEA Model SFA fluorescence adapter system is a simple and economical way to add a versatile fluorescence viewing capability to existing microscopes that operate at a wide range of scales. The dyes used in the concrete examination process are very strongly fluorescent and are excited well by ultraviolet (UV) or blue light. (Note – while the provider of the dye recommends use of UV, our experience is that our Royal Blue light source plus filter combination provides superior results for this and many other fluorescent indicators used in this and related applications.)


The images of concrete thin section fluorescence below were made with a stereo microscope (top row), and a Keyence VHX series digital microscope with the VH-Z100 lens (rows two and three). NIGHTSEA’s Royal Blue excitation was used for all images.


Cracks in Sonaspection test plate, fluorescent penetrant


TAM panel starburst with fluorescent penetrant


Next we show some cross sections of electronic components that were embedded in epoxy, cross-sectioned, and polished, after which indications were highlighted with an epoxy-like dye with Morton Fluorescent Yellow G as the fluorescent ingredient.


Concrete thin section under blue light excitation


Concrete thin section, white light


Circuit Board Conformal Coating Inspection


The conformal coating used on electronic circuit boards fluoresces under excitation by either Ultraviolet or Violet light. The fluorescence is a powerful tool for checking coating integrity.


100x 200x


500x


700x


We are grateful to the Department of Mineralogy and Geochemistry, Institute of Geoscience and Geography, University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany for providing the sample for testing.


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