INSPECTION

The Non Destrutive Testing (NDT) technique used will depend on the specific defects identified. Methods like ultrasound (UT) or Thermography (IR) may be good for detecting delamination and voids but may not be a suitable inspection technique for cracks or un-bonding. Through 30 years of NDT experience, we have found x-ray is the most reliable inspection technique in detecting stress cracks and structural damage due to high and low speed impacts.

X-ray testing is the most common method used for detection of cracks and other catastrophic structural inconsistencies. CRT can detect cracks and stress cracking, voids and porosity, inclusions, trans-laminar cracks, resin-to-fiber ratio, non-uniform fiber distribution and fiber misorientation, such as fiber folds, wrinkles or weld lines. Although delamination typically can be seen in a conventional CRT only if their orientation is not perpendicular to the X-ray beam.

Infrared Pulse thermography (IR) uses short pulse to excite the area of concern and then the cooling process is analyzed. The advantage of this method is the speed of the analysis and a possibility to estimate the depth of the defects. The disadvantage is a limited depth of the analysis and the inconsistency in respect to low and high speed impact.

Ultrasonic inspection (UT) can be used to detect anomalies such as delamination, porosity, voids, and bonding in composite laminates. Ultrasonic testing can be used on composites with less resolution but would not be best practices for any structural damage caused by low or high speed impact.

Acoustic inspection (the quarter test) is not a recognized inspection technique but a great down and dirty way for the potential customer to determine if there is any seen or unseen damage due to impact. Dull sound not good, sharp sound better but unless you’re a dog, an x-ray is a better NDT technique used with a long history in mission critical applications in the aerospace, automotive and sports industries.

X-ray and CRT in High-Performance Industries

Computed radiography (CRT) is widely used in the aerospace industry to inspect wings, fuselages, and engine components. The automotive sector has relied on X-ray and CT scanning since the 1990s, and sporting goods manufacturers have increasingly adopted these technologies to maintain rigorous quality control. In professional sports, and cycling teams use X-ray inspections to verify the integrity of their composite equipment.