Air Coupled Ultrasonic Testing of Composite Materials

摘要

One of the most visible - and at times most disturbing - features in ultrasonic testing is the use of a couplant medium. Recent developments in composite materials and their applications have increased the demands for non-contact ultrasonic inspections, i.e. for inspections without the use of the common couplant media [ref.1]. Non-contact and non-immersion ultrasonic techniques further allow the use of guided waves for rapid and efficient inspection of large parts. The presented air coupled ultrasonic technique is a non-contact inspection method and an economic alternative to laser based ultrasound.