Assessment of interfacial properties in a two-layered plate using quasi-static component generation during primary Lamb wave propagation

This study delves into the feasibility of leveraging quasi-static component (QSC) generation during primary Lamb wave propagation to discern subtle alterations in the interfacial properties of a two-layered plate. Unlike the second-harmonic generation of Lamb waves, QSC generation doesn't necessitate precise phase-velocity matching but rather requires an approximate matching of group velocities to ensure the emergence of cumulative growth effects. This unique characteristic empowers the QSC-based nonlinear ultrasonic method to effectively surmount the limitations associated with inherent dispersion and multimode traits of Lamb wave propagation. Modeling the QSC generation reveals that the integrated amplitude of the QSC pulse, derived from the propagation of the primary Lamb wave tone burst, progressively amplifies with increasing propagation distance. Finite element simulations illustrate an overall decline in the efficiency of QSC generation amidst interfacial degradation. Experimental outcomes obtained via a nonlinear ultrasonic measurement-based setup vividly showcase the cumulative growth effect of QSC generation, evident with the propagation distance under approximate group velocity matching. To substantiate the influence of interfacial properties on QSC generation efficiency, varying thermal fatigue durations under cyclic temperature conditions are employed to simulate subtle changes in the two-layered plate's interfacial properties. The relative nonlinear acoustic parameter exhibits a distinctly sensitive and monotonically decreasing behavior with escalating thermal fatigue durations, corroborating the impact of alterations in interfacial properties on QSC generation efficiency. The alignment between experimental findings and numerical analysis predictions suggests that the effect of QSC generation in primary Lamb wave propagation provides a promising means for sensitively assessing the early-stage degradation of interfacial properties in layered plates.