NDT detection and quantification of induced defects on composite helicopter rotor blade and UAV wing sections

Dirk Findeis; Jasson Gryzagoridis; Vincent Musonda

doi:10.1117/12.814560

3 October 2008 NDT detection and quantification of induced defects on composite helicopter rotor blade and UAV wing sections

Dirk Findeis, Jasson Gryzagoridis, Vincent Musonda

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7155, Ninth International Symposium on Laser Metrology; 71551N (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.814560
Event: Ninth International Symposium on Laser Metrology, 2008, Singapore, Singapore

Abstract

Digital Shearography and Infrared Thermography (IRT) techniques were employed to test non-destructively samples from aircraft structures of composite material nature. Background information on the techniques is presented and it is noted that much of the inspection work reviewed in the literature has focused on qualitative evaluation of the defects rather than quantitative. There is however, need to quantify the defects if the threshold rejection criterion of whether the component inspected is fit for service has to be established. In this paper an attempt to quantify induced defects on a helicopter main rotor blade and Unmanned Aerospace Vehicle (UAV) composite material is presented. The fringe patterns exhibited by Digital Shearography were used to quantify the defects by relating the number of fringes created to the depth of the defect or flaw. Qualitative evaluation of defects with IRT was achieved through a hot spot temperature indication above the flaw on the surface of the material. The results of the work indicate that the Shearographic technique proved to be more sensitive than the IRT technique. It should be mentioned that there is "no set standard procedure" tailored for testing of composites. Each composite material tested is more likely to respond differently to defect detection and this depends generally on the component geometry and a suitable selection of the loading system to suit a particular test. The experimental procedure that is reported in this paper can be used as a basis for designing a testing or calibration procedure for defects detection on any particular composite material component or structure.

Citation Download Citation

Dirk Findeis, Jasson Gryzagoridis, and Vincent Musonda "NDT detection and quantification of induced defects on composite helicopter rotor blade and UAV wing sections", Proc. SPIE 7155, Ninth International Symposium on Laser Metrology, 71551N (3 October 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.814560

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available