Advances in Thermosonics for Detecting Impact Damage in CFRP Composites

摘要

This study investigated methods of reducing the electrical power required to detect defects by thermonoics, or vibro-thermography, and thus to reduce surface damage that can occur at the exciter attachment point during testing. The surface temperature rise over excited defects has been modelled to determine the heating requirements to visualise damage. A long pulse, low power excitation method has been found to produce satisfactory impact damage images whilst eliminating damage at the exciter attachment point.