Title: Investigation of accurate imaging of the defects in composite materials using ultrasonic air-coupled technique

Authors: Rymantas Kazys, Liudas Mazeika, Egidijus Zukauskas

Addresses: Ultrasound Institute, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentu st. 50, LT-51368, Kaunas, Lithuania. ' Ultrasound Institute, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentu st. 50, LT-51368, Kaunas, Lithuania. ' Ultrasound Institute, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentu st. 50, LT-51368, Kaunas, Lithuania

Abstract: In this paper air-coupled ultrasonic investigation of delamination type defects in GLARE3-3/2 composite material is presented. An air-coupled ultrasonic measurement technique has a great potential for investigation of those materials in manufacturing and maintenance. An important advantage of this technique is that investigations can be performed without couplants and therefore various materials that can absorb liquids (honeycombs, porous) can be tested. The objective of the work was to investigate the interaction of the ultrasonic wave with delamination type defect in GLARE3-3/2 composite material and to determine influence of interaction effects on accuracy of the defect size measurement. Numerical and experimental investigation was carried-out in the through transmission mode. Results of numerical investigation and experimental verification of interaction of the ultrasonic wave are presented. Estimation of accuracy of the measurement of the delamination defect sizes is also presented.

Keywords: air-coupled ultrasonic measurement; nondestructive testing; NDT; composite materials; GLARE; delamination; ultrasonic imaging; glass reinforced composites; defect imaging.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2011.040289

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2011 Vol.41 No.1/2/3/4, pp.105 - 116

Published online: 28 Feb 2015 *

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