Diagnostic Microlab-Z2 Complex for Nondestructive Evaluation of Structural and Deformation Parameters of Metal Constructions

The behavior of a structure under the influence of external factors is determined by three key groups of parameters the metal composition (chemical, structural, and deformation). Obtaining information about these parameters directly on the structure will effectively solve the problem of assessing its actual technical condition. The problem of nondestructive evaluation of the chemical composition of metal is solved using portable spectrometers. A Microlab-Z2 diagnostic complex has been developed to evaluate the other two groups of parameters. It has two functional blocks. The surface preparation unit ensures that the surface of the construction site has a roughness, flatness, and level of applied mechanical hardening corresponding to the laboratory preparation of metallographic specimens. The research unit is a platform on which a metallographic microscope and a portable microhardness tester are installed. It allows metallographic research with magnification up to ×1000, surface microindentation, measurement of microhardness values at load of 0–200 gf, and optical study of the morphology of imprints in any spatial position. The reliability of the data obtained by the Microlab-Z2 diagnostic complex has been confirmed during comparative tests with stationary equipment. An assessment of structure parameters and contamination of metal with nonmetallic inclusions, assessment of the degree of hardening and embrittlement of metal, and detection of aging processes can be performed with the help of the developed device. The use of the Microlab-Z2 diagnostic complex for operational nondestructive evaluation of structural and deformation parameters of metal structures will allow reaching a qualitatively different level of efficiency in performing production and acceptance testing of manufactured products, assessing the maintainability of defects, planning repairs and other compensating measures, and industrial safety expertise.