FME Transactions (Jan 2016)

Basalt fibre laminates non-destructively inspected after low-velocity impacts

  • Sfarra S.,
  • Ibarra-Castanedo C.,
  • Sarasini F.,
  • Santulli Carlo,
  • Maldague X.P.V.

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 44, no. 4
pp. 380 – 385

Abstract

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In this work, the use of advanced thermographic techniques for the post-impact defect detection in basalt fibre reinforced composite laminates was investigated. The laminates were previously impacted at different energies, namely 7.5, 15 and 22.5 J and then subjected to accelerated environmental aging or to a coating process in order to conceal the previous damage due to low velocity impact. In both cases the defects could be identified using infrared thermography in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) spectrum even after the treatments. In addition, short-wave infrared (SWIR) results were employed with the aim to clearly identify unsuspected resin-rich areas. Therefore, the non-thermal part of the infrared spectrum (SWIR) can be coupled with the thermal part (MWIR) providing a complete infrared vision beyond what is perceptible to the naked eye, i.e., in the visible spectrum.

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