Rapid phased array ultrasonic imaging of large area composite aerospace structures

Abstract

There has been an increase in the use of composite materials in the aerospace industry which is driving a need for new NDT techniques that can rapidly scan large structures and provide quantitative data on the material integrity. In many applications there are common requirements for the ultrasonic inspection of composites for porosity, delaminations, foreign body contamination and fibre wrinkling. Traditional methods of ultrasonic inspection require the use of a single-point probe or a multiplexed group of probes. NDT Solutions has developed new inspection techniques based on ultrasonic arrays housed within a rubber coupled wheel sensor. The wheel can be manually applied or scanned over the structure with an automated scanning system. Applications for the technology include real-time imaging and reporting of impact damage, porosity sizing, delaminations and fibre wrinkles. Examples and case studies from a range of aerospace applications are given, including inspection of small and large area composite structures.