High performance clad metallic buffer rods

Clad metallic buffer rods fabricated by thermal spray and electroplating techniques are presented. The core and cladding materials are steel, stainless steel, zirconium, titanium, nickel, copper and aluminum. The lengths of buffer rods can be more than tens of centimeters limited by the desired signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and not by the fabrication. Pulsed ultrasonic signals of high SNR in these buffer rods make many practical applications feasible. Novel applications for on-line solidification monitoring of liquid aluminum and in situ temperature measurement are demonstrated.