Title :
Application of laser-based ultrasound to the inspection of contoured parts [reinforced polymer composites]
Author :
McKie, Andrew D W ; Addision, R.C.
Author_Institution :
Rockwell Int. Sci. Center, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
Abstract :
To realize the full high-speed scanning potential of a same-side laser-in/laser out inspection system, it is necessary to angularly deflect the generation and detection laser beams across the part surface. The authors have investigated the variations in the detected ultrasonic signal amplitude in reinforced polymer composite (RPC) materials resulting from varying the angle of incidence of the laser beams from 0 to 45°. These studies have been made on a variety of RPC materials having various surface textures and coatings. The results show that several commonly used paints significantly enhance the diffusive component of the reflected light, thus increasing the signal amplitude obtained for large angles of incidence. Even for uncoated specimens the decrease in signal amplitude at large angles is within the dynamic range of a suitably designed laser-based ultrasound system
Keywords :
coatings; fibre reinforced composites; inspection; light reflection; reflectivity; surface texture; surface topography; ultrasonic equipment; ultrasonic materials testing; ultrasonic measurement; angle of incidence; angular reflectivity; coatings; contoured parts; diffusive component; inspection system; large angles; laser based ultrasound C scan system; laser beams; laser ultrasound inspection; paints; reflected light; reinforced polymer composite; signal/noise ratio; surface textures; ultrasonic signal amplitude; uncoated specimens; Composite materials; Inspection; Laser applications; Laser beams; Optical materials; Polymers; Signal detection; Surface emitting lasers; Surface texture; Ultrasonic imaging;
Conference_Titel :
Ultrasonics Symposium, 1991. Proceedings., IEEE 1991
Conference_Location :
Orlando, FL
DOI :
10.1109/ULTSYM.1991.234091
