Using copper nanomarkers for revealing microcracks and regions of microdamage on the surface of pipelines and parts of oil and gas machinery

Abstract

It has been shown that copper nanomarkers can be used for revealing microcracks and regions of microdamage on the surface of pipelines and parts of oil and gas machinery. The synthesis of copper nanoparticles by hydrazine-induced reduction from aqueous salt solutions in the presence of surface active agents (SAAs) and their silicon-dioxide stabilization, which is needed to prevent surface oxidation processes, are described. Testing of the deposition of optical nanomarkers on a metal surface has been performed. It has been discovered that copper nanoparticles become trapped in microcracks on the surface of metal samples and stay there after the surplus substance is removed from the surface. It has been shown that synthesized copper nanoparticles can be detected in microcracks and regions of microdamage by irradiating metal surfaces of constructional materials with a femtosecond laser.