Comparing infrared thermography and ESPI for NDE of aircraft composites

Findeis, D; Gryzagoridis, J; Lombe, C

Comparing infrared thermography and ESPI for NDE of aircraft composites

Journal Article

2010

Journal Title

Insight - Non-Destructive Testing and Condition Monitoring

Link to Journal

https://dx.doi.org/10.1784/insi.2010.52.5.244

Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

Abstract

Infrared thermography is gaining acceptance by industry as a suitable non-destructive testing and evaluation (NDT/E) technique. Likewise, electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) has also been shown to be suited for similar purposes, particularly for the inspection of composite materials. This paper presents the theory of the two inspection methods. Selected composite samples containing defects are subjected to identical inspection procedures using both techniques. The results are presented and compared with each other. From the results it is clear that both techniques are suited for the detection of the defects in the composite sample. The results also indicate that ESPI is a more sensitive inspection technique than IRT. Comparisons are drawn and the benefits of each technique discussed.