Application of non destructive testing to the detection of aeronautical defects in composite structures

Overview & Synopsis

A study of two Non-destructive Testing methods (NDT) was carried out in specimens with different kinds of simulated defects. Ultrasonics test (US) and Infrared Thermography (IRT) were applied with the aim of evaluate the detectability and the accuracy of each method. These techniques acquired great importance in the aeronautics industry because they control the aerostructure without intervening in their physical and mechanical integrity. In the second part of the study, a comparison of both techniques was done with the purpose of analysing their limits and advantages. It appeared that detectability of defects was much better in a sample with flat-bottomed holes defects in the case of Ultrasonic Test. However it was found that Infrared Thermography is far more limited to the thickness of the specimen than the ultrasonic waves. On the other hand, defects were all revealed with IRT in a sandwich composite including Teflon inserts, which was not the case for US.