Method and system for characterizing a non-metallic inclusion population

A system for automatically characterizing a population of non-metallic inclusions in a finished or semi-finished component comprising a metal alloy the system comprising:

• an automated optical microscope configured to scan a cut and polished inspection plane of the finished or semi-finished component, and
• a processor operatively connected to the automated optical microscope and configured to run image analysis software to automatically count members of the population of non-metallic inclusions within at least one control area of the inspection plane and to determine at least one morphological parameter and a position of each member of the population of non-metallic inclusions in the at least one control area to produce measured data,
• the processor further being configured to process the measured data using an Extreme Value Analysis or a Generalized Pareto Distribution analysis technique to produce processed data a characterizing the population of non-metallic inclusions in the finished or semi-finished component.

9-10. (canceled)

The system according to claim 10,

• including a memory operatively connected to the processor and configured to store the measured data and/or the processed data.

The system according to claim 10,

• wherein the processor is further configured to predict a fatigue strength of the finished or semi-finished component under specified operating conditions using the processed data.