Method for quantifying porosity of parts of simple and complex geometries

摘要

A method and apparatus for inspecting nonmetallic parts, including composite parts for, e.g. aircraft engines by quantifying their porosity, wherein a laser beam is directed to one side of the part to heat a portion thereof, with a delay being noted for the applied heat to transmit through said part to the opposite side thereof. An infrared radiometer (IR) is mounted to view such opposite side and to read (after such delay) the heat transmitted therethrough in the form of voltage (increase) readings. Such IR readings are taken at points across the part being inspected and the readings are then compared to a known data base of temperature change against vol. % porosity or the resulting calibrated porosity curve, to quantify the % porosity at various points on the sample. The inventive method can read or quantify porosity parts of simple geometry as well as of complex geometry, including engine housing flanges of small radii of curvature.