9 - Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of aerospace composites: methods for testing adhesively bonded composites

Abstract

This chapter aims to establish the state-of-the-art with regard to non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques of adhesively bonded composite materials, with a special focus on the aerospace industry, and composite substrates. Typical material defects, as well as quality management through NDT methods throughout the product life cycle, are introduced. A complete overview of existing NDT techniques is given, followed by a description of limitations in terms of bond performance assessment. Recent concepts and nascent developments (‘Extended NDT’) for the future are explored.