A Scan Laser Heat Source for Nondestructive Testing Applications

Evaluations were made using an infrared nondestructive testing technique employing scan laser heating of the specimen. Thermal images were obtained with a newly developed two dimensional reflective scanner coupled to a 50 watt CO2 laser to irradiate the specimen and a thermal imaging camera to view the specimens irradiated surface. The technique shows a capability of providing a real-time nondestructive test for subsurface defects in a variety of materials and structures. It allows the laser heat source and infrared camera to be remotely positioned on the same side of the specimen under test making it possible to examine large specimens.