Impact damage assessment in biocomposites by micro-CT and innovative air-coupled detection of laser-generated ultrasound. (15th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fischer, Balthasar; Sarasini, Fabrizio; Tirillò, Jacopo; Touchard, Fabienne; Chocinski-Arnault, Laurence; Mellier, David; Panzer, Nils; Sommerhuber, Ryan; Russo, Pietro; Papa, Ilaria; Lopresto, Valentina; Ecault, Romain
• Is Part Of: Composite structures. Volume 210(2019)
• Page Start: 922
• Page End: 931
• Publication Date: 2019-02-15
• Subjects: Polymer-matrix composites -- Natural fibres -- Low-velocity impact -- Non-destructive testing -- Micro-CT; Composite construction -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.12.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8223

Abstract

Abstract: The increasing use of natural fibre composites in at least semi-structural applications along with a demand for a fast and accurate damage detection for quality purpose and in-service reliability promote a need for non-contact non-destructive testing techniques. To this purpose, ultrasound is probably one of the most widely used testing techniques but the need of a coupling fluid like water limits its use with natural fibre composites. In this work, a novel non-contact set-up based on laser excitation of ultrasound and detection with a broadband, air-coupled optical microphone is presented and tested on flax/PLA laminates. This material system has been characterized in terms of quasi-static mechanical properties and low velocity impact response. The outcomes of this study demonstrate the potential of this non-contact and nondestructive system for quality and damage inspection purposes of natural fibre composites.