Ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation of selectively laser-sintered polymeric nanocomposites

Abstract

Ultrasonic testing as a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique is newly introduced to characterize additively manufactured composite materials to identify their anisotropic mechanical properties, being especially facile, useful and accurate approach for dimensional dependent measurement. In this study, the immersion ultrasonic technique is employed to measure the energy loss of ultrasonic elastic waves, and wave propagation speed in the laser-sintered nanocomposite of carbon nanotube reinforced polyamine 12. The relationship of process-structure-property is revealed to establish the correlations between process parameters and energy loss of ultrasound, as well as mechanical moduli. The orientation-dependent wave attenuation and mechanical moduli of nanocomposites along three orthogonal directions are strongly associated with the layer-by-layer fusion induced microstructures and internal imperfections. This technique is capable of quantifying orientation-dependent mechanical properties such as moduli and attenuation without compromising additively manufactured parts, showing a high potential of quality control and safety inspection in end-use applications.