Elastic property estimation in thin graphite epoxy composite plates using ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation

摘要

The past few decades have seen a steady increase in the use of composite materials. First, as non-load bearing structures such as nose cones and control surfaces and more recently as primary structure. Composite materials can have strength to weight ratios higher than any homogeneous material which makes them very attractive structural materials for the aerospace industry. Unfortunately, in previous years, the failure and performance of composites was not well understood. This eliminated them from use as primary structure. Since the early years of their development, composites have become much more reliable and offer higher strength to weight ratios than ever before. The use of composite materials is expected to increase for many years to come.