Heat damage evaluation in carbon fiber-reinforced composites with a kHz A-scan rate fiber-optic pump-probe laser-ultrasound system. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pelivanov, Ivan; Ambrozinski, Łukasz; O'Donnell, Matthew
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 84(2016)
• Page Start: 417
• Page End: 427
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs) -- B. Microstructures -- D. Ultrasonics -- E. Heat treatment; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2016.02.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: Composites are increasingly replacing metals for a number of applications where their reduced weight and equivalent strength compared to metals is extremely important. As composite structures become more routine, non-destructive tools are needed to monitor their structural integrity when subjected to different damage mechanisms, such as impact and thermal insults. Here we present a non-contact laser-ultrasound (LU) method to quantify and image structural changes in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites induced by thermal insult. The method uses ultra-wideband acoustic signals generated at the surface of a composite material with a laser pulse (i.e., pump), and non-contact, point-like detection of backscattered transients (i.e., probe). A comparison of results from the LU system with X-ray images of thermally insulted samples shows that high-resolution LU images (better than 1 ply) and spectral analysis of backscattered signals can identify small structural changes in composites long before delamination.