With the evolution of composite material technologies, the composition of aircraft has changed, with the commercial aircraft industry incorporating more and more composite materials such as CFRP into their structures. This is not surprising, since CFRP components offer the advantage of being both lightweight and strong. These composite structures are generally shaped to complex and variable geometries. And therein lies the challenge of NDT inspection of CFRP components. Here, we present the solution beyond the mainstream.
The non-destructive testing technology of choice for the inspection of complex composites is phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT). A combination of specialized probe configurations, a high-performance PAUT system and advanced software including specific tools and algorithms are required for fast, reliable inspections. Standard phased array ultrasonic inspection requires precise alignment between probe and sample. In the case of complex geometries, this usually implies complete and therefore costly systems, as well as precise knowledge of the sample geometry. Recently, the technique of time reversal - a real-time adaptive process - has been adopted for fast, reliable UT inspections on these complex geometries.
Here's the problem
Composite structures are increasingly being used for aircraft. They include the fuselage and various parts of the wings, skin, spars and spars. All these components have different shapes, most of which are complex geometries. Consequently, the examination method must be able to adapt to these particular conditions.
The manufacturing process of composite materials can generate different types of defects. Post-fabrication inspection must be able to detect porosities, foreign bodies and delamination in CFRP structures (Figure 2). Another difficult aspect of aerospace component verification is inspection speed. High manufacturing volumes require high inspection speeds to minimize costs.
We present the Beyond Current solution
To overcome the challenges listed above, Eddyfi Technologies offers an effective solution for the inspection of composite materials. This solution is based on specialized PAUT 1D linear array probes, an advanced PAUT device and comprehensive inspection software featuring innovative functions. The Zetec solution can be integrated into the customer's handling.