Line scanning thermography for rapid nondestructive inspection of large scale composites

Journal Article · Thu Jun 23 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3592050· OSTI ID:21511604

Chung, S ^[1]; Ley, O; Godinez, V ^[2]; Bandos, B ^[3]

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1. Materials Sciences Corporation, Horsham, PA, 19044 (United States)
2. Mistras Group, Princeton Junction, NJ, 08550 (United States)
3. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19112-5083 (United States)

As next generation structures are utilizing larger amounts of composite materials, a rigorous and reliable method is needed to inspect these structures in order to prevent catastrophic failure and extend service life. Current inspection methods, such as ultrasonic, generally require extended down time and man hours as they are typically carried out via point-by-point measurements. A novel Line Scanning Thermography (LST) System has been developed for the non-contact, large-scale field inspection of composite structures with faster scanning times than conventional thermography systems. LST is a patented dynamic thermography technique where the heat source and thermal camera move in tandem, which allows the continuous scan of long surfaces without the loss of resolution. The current system can inspect an area of 10 in{sup 2} per 1 second, and has a resolution of 0.05x0.03 in{sup 2}. Advanced data gathering protocols have been implemented for near-real time damage visualization and post-analysis algorithms for damage interpretation. The system has been used to successfully detect defects (delamination, dry areas) in fiber-reinforced composite sandwich panels for Navy applications, as well as impact damage in composite missile cases and armor ceramic panels.

• OSTI ID: 21511604
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1335, Issue 1; Conference: Review of progress in quantitative nondestructive evaluation, San Diego, CA (United States), 18-23 Jul 2010; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3592050; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ARMOR
CERAMICS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
DAMAGE
FAILURES
FIBERS
HEAT SOURCES
IMAGE PROCESSING
INSPECTION
MAN
MISSILES
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
REINFORCED MATERIALS
RESOLUTION
SERVICE LIFE
SURFACES
THERMOGRAPHY
ANIMALS
LIFETIME
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MATERIALS TESTING
MEASURING METHODS
PRIMATES
PROCESSING
TESTING
VERTEBRATES