Types of NDT

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

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ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

Visual Inspection

Visual Inspection Equipment

Basic principle:
illuminate the test specimen with light
examine the specimen with the eye
Used to:
to magnify defects which can not be detected by
the unaided eye
to assist in the inspection of defects
to permit visual checks of areas not accessible to
unaided eye
Most widely used of all the nondestructive tests.
Simple, easy to apply, quickly carried out and usually
low in cost.
ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

Visual
Ultrasonic
X-ray
Thermographic
Acoustic Emission
Eddy Current
Shearography

Magnifying Glass
Magnifying Mirror
Microscope
Borescope
endoscopes or endoprobes

Flexible Fiber Optic Borescope

working lengths are normally 60 to 365 cm with
diameters from 3 to 12.5 mm

Video Imagescope
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Borescopes

ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

Ultrasonic Testing
The use of ultrasonic waves to evaluate
the condition of a material.
Anomalies absorb or deflect the sound
waves, which are then detected as
changes in the waves.

Rigid

holes, delaminations, voids

damage, debonds
resin-rich, -poor areas

Flexible fiber optic

ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

Reflected (pulse-echo) Transmission

Mode

Through Transmission Mode

emitter - detector - transceiver

emitter
part

part
reflector
detector

ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

Ultrasonic Test Equipment

C-scan

ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

A-scan
(single pulse - ice pick)
Received pulse amplitude is represented as a
displacement along one axis and the travel
time of the ultrasonic pulse is represented as
a displacement along the other axis.
A-scan displays are more complex because
all reflections are displayed, so signals (back
wall, waterpath) need careful interpretation.

ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

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B-scan
(cross section)

A-scan

A two-dimensional graphical
presentation, in rectangular coordinates,
in which the travel time of an ultrasonic
pulse is represented as a displacement
along one axis, and transducer
movement is represented as a
displacement along the other axis.
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C-scan
(defect location map)

B-scan

A two-dimensional graphical presentation, in

which the discontinuity echoes are displayed
in a top view on the test surface.
This method is applied to pulse-echo and
through transmission techniques.
Usually no indication of depth is given unless
the complete scan represents the time of
flight evaluation (D-scan).

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3D C-scan

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C-scans

C-scan

ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

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C-scan test block

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D-scan
(defect depth map)

D-scan

A two-dimensional graphical
presentation, in which the time-of-flight
values are displayed in a top view on
the test surface. This is a modified Cscan in which are amplitudes displayed.

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D-scan of Test Block

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Performance
5-25 MHz typical
0.2- 800 MHz possible
Trade-off between frequency
(resolution) and depth of penetration
higher frequency, better resolution, lower
depth of penetration

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X-ray Technique

ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

Microfocus X-ray Technique

Film pack
or X-ray imaging
system
X-ray source

Film pack
or X-ray imaging
system
Test object

Test object

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Microfocus
X-ray source

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Greatly enlarged
image

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Microfocus X-ray Equipment

Real Time X-ray Technique

Fluorescent
screen

X-ray source

TV
camera

Monitor
scope

Image
processor

Intensifier
Test object

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X-ray Images

IC chip

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X-ray Images

Computer mouse

Cooling lines in turbine blade

Porosity in weld

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CT Scan

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CT Scanner

CT produces 3-dimensional images of objects

using x-rays.
The scanner, made in the shape of a ring,
contains an x-ray tube that circles the object.
The object in the scanner is bombarded by xrays from various angles and resulting
information signals are then processed by a
computer, yielding cross sectional slices
which then make up images.
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CT Scan Images

Restrictions
Radio opaque penetrant sometimes
needed, as many composites are
transparent even to low energy X-rays
15 - 25 kV
zinc iodide
tetrabromoethane
diiodobutane

Cannot detect fiber breaks

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Thermographic Principle

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Thermographic Technique

Heat flow in a material is altered by the

presence of some types of anomalies.
These changes in heat flow cause
localized temperature differences in the
material.
Slow heating of part reveals these
anomalies.

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Thermography Images

Heat
source

Part

IR camera

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Acoustic Emission Principle

Sounds made by a material, structure, or
machine in use or under load are heard and
analyzed to determine its "state of health".
One or more ultrasonic microphones are
attached to the object and the sounds are
analyzed using computer based instruments.
Noises may arise from:
friction (including bearing wear)
crack growth
material changes (such as corrosion)

PC board
Aircraft wing
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Acoustic Emission Set-up

Acoustic Emission Technique

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ENG 4793: Composite Materials and Processes

Acoustic Emission Advantages

Acoustic Emission Applications

Entire structure can be monitored from a few

locations.
Structure can be tested in use.
Continuous monitoring with alarms is
possible.
Microscopic changes can be detected if
sufficient energy is released.
Source location is also possible using
multiple sensors.
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Eddy Current Principle

pipelines
storage tanks (above and below the ground)
fiberglass structures
rotating machinery
weld monitoring
biological and chemical changes

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Eddy Current Technique

When an energized coil is brought near to the surface

of a metal or conducting component, eddy currents
are induced into the specimen. These currents set-up
magnetic field that tend to oppose the original
magnetic field. The impedance of coil in close
proximity to the specimen is affected by the presence
of the induced eddy currents in the specimen.
When the eddy currents in the specimen are distorted
by the presence of the flaws or material variations,
the impedance in the coil is altered. This change is
measured and displayed in a manner that indicates
the type of flaw or material condition.
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Eddy current
field

Probe

Defect

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Eddy Current Applications

Shearography

Range from crack detection, to the rapid

sorting of small components for either
flaws, size variations, or material
variation.
Commonly used in aerospace,
automotive, marine, and manufacturing
industries.

The object under study is illuminated by laser light,

and a camera produces two sheared images that
interfere with each other, causing a speckle pattern.
When the object is deformed (sheared), the speckle
pattern changes.
The two speckle patterns interfere to produce a fringe
pattern that depicts the surface gradient of the
deformed object.
Though the images obtained are good, this method is
time-consuming.

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Shearography Technique

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Shearography Images

Laser
Part

Shearography head
and detector

Shear
motion
Debonds

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Summary
Optical and Ultrasonic most widely used
techniques.
Each has different principles and uses.

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