Thermographic diagnosis of fatigue degradation of epoxy-glass composites

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to describe results of application of thermography to evaluate the degree of fatigue degradation of epoxy-glass composites. Design/methodology/approach: Samples of epoxy-glass composite were subjected to fatigue degradation. During fatigue test, after defined number of cycles, samples were heated using infra-red heater and at the opposite side temperature increase was evaluated with thermovision camera. Findings: Analysis of achieved results allowed to elaborate relation between number of fatigue cycles and the degree of fatigue degradation. Such relation may be applied in diagnostic procedures. Research limitations/implications: Performed tests were of preliminary character and results will be applied to prepare research programme on thermographic testing of composites. Practical implications: Results of such tests may be applied in the future in diagnostic procedures to nondestructive evaluation of the degree of fatigue degradation of high performance polymer composites. Originality/value: Thermographic methods are applied up till now to non-destructive flaws detection. Proposed in the paper method may be applied to evaluate the degree of thermal and fatigue degradation in composites without any macroscopic flaws.