Eddy current non-destructive evaluation of manufacturing flaws and operational damage in CFRP composites

Robin James; Mohammad Faisal Haider; Victor Giurgiutiu; David Lilienthal

doi:10.1117/12.2515505

1 April 2019 Eddy current non-destructive evaluation of manufacturing flaws and operational damage in CFRP composites

Robin James, Mohammad Faisal Haider, Victor Giurgiutiu, David Lilienthal

Proceedings Volume 10971, Nondestructive Characterization and Monitoring of Advanced Materials, Aerospace, Civil Infrastructure, and Transportation XIII; 109711N (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2515505
Event: SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation, 2019, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

The manufacturing process of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite structures can introduce many characteristic defects and flaws such as fiber misorientation, fiber waviness and wrinkling. Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to detect the presence of these defects at the earliest stages of development. Eddy current testing (ECT) is a nondestructive inspection (NDI) technique which has been proven quite effective in metallic structures. However, NDI of composite structures has mainly relied on other methods such as ultrasonics and X-ray to name a few, and not much on ECT. In this paper, we explore the possibility of using ECT in NDI of CFRP composites. We base our research on the fact that the CFRP displays some low-level electric conductivity due to the inherent conductivity of the carbon fibers. This low-level conductivity may permit eddy-current pathways that can be exploited for NDI detection. An invention disclosure describing our high-frequency ECT method is being progressed. We use multiphysics FEM simulation to simulate the detection of various types of manufacturing flaws and operational damage in CFRP composites such as fiber misorientation; waviness; wrinkling, etc. ECT experiments were conducted on CFRP specimens with manufacturing flaws using the Eddyfi Reddy eddy current array (ECA) system.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Robin James, Mohammad Faisal Haider, Victor Giurgiutiu, and David Lilienthal "Eddy current non-destructive evaluation of manufacturing flaws and operational damage in CFRP composites", Proc. SPIE 10971, Nondestructive Characterization and Monitoring of Advanced Materials, Aerospace, Civil Infrastructure, and Transportation XIII, 109711N (1 April 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2515505

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available