Experimental Testing of Aramid Composite Applied in Ballistic Armour using Ultrasonic IR Thermography

Abstract

Reference samples, in which artificial discontinuities (defects) are fabricated, are used to verify non-destructive testing procedures. Artificial discontinuities are known defects of reference samples and enable verification the possibilities of using the chosen NDT method for the identification of location and depth of discontinuities. In thermographic methods the tests of reference samples also allow (helps) to determine the required thermal stimulation source parameters of the tested sample. This paper presents the results of experimental testing of defects detection in a multi-layer aramid composite used in light ballistic armour using ultrasonic infrared thermography. Samples of the aramid composite included artificial defects and were tested using different ultrasonic frequencies. The tests of the same samples were carried out with optical thermography and X-ray method and their results were compared to those determined with ultrasonic IR thermography.

Keywords

• ballistic armour
• IR thermography
• ultrasounds
• composite materials