Novel quantitative non-destructive testing method for composite structures

Abstract

A novel QNDT (quantitative non-destructive testing) method is developed that is combined with a phase-shifting shearing speckle and thermograph, and, it aims at the detection of faults such as cracks, voids, delamination and weak areas. The technique is immune to ambient noise and is suitable for measuring the in situ environment. Some different depth defects that would produce deformation differing from other positions could be found with shearing speckle when the sample is loaded, however, a thermograph based on the thermal resistance effect of a defect can detect only those varisized defects embedded deeply in the composite structure by measuring the surface temperature distribution. The resolution is examined for artificial delaminated defects in carbon-fiber composite structures using a phase-shifting shearing speckle and thermograph. The experimental results have demonstrated that the technique is effective for revealing defects in composite structures.