Inspection of Composite Radii

Phased Array Solution

This solution features special curved linear arrays of 16 to 64 elements and appropriate positioning hardware to align all of ultrasonic beams at 90 degrees to the curved inspection surface allowing for complete inspection from the ID or OD. The main advantage of utilizing this inspection solution is rapid inspection of the entire area in a single pass with proper detection angles.Adjustable positioning wedges combined with the sector scan view allow quick adjustment of the beams to ensure proper angle of incidence all along the radius.The front wall of the radius will appear flat when properly adjusted by the positioning knob. The proper probe holders can be selected by the basic corner geometry. The same probe can be used on a wide variety of geometries by changing the probe holder.The probes can also be positioned in immersion tanks using typical probe positioning methods.

The use of CFRP (Carbon fiber reinforced polymers) in manufacturing is widespread and growing due to the demand for strong but lighter building materials. Aerospace and wind power are just a few of the industries increasing there use of composites in the manufacturing stage. As the use of composites has grown so has the complexity of various shapes and sizes current manufacturing technologies can produce out of composite materials. One of the primary inspection difficulties in CFRP material is the inspection of radiused shapes.

Flat composites are primarily tested with ultrasound with 0 degree transducers for delaminations and porosity that are usually detected best perpendicular to the accessible surface of the composite build up.Phased Array Ultrasonics has recently advanced this inspection offering new rapid testing solutions for flat CFRP parts. Radii parts pose an inspection issue because of the curved shape and access to either the inner or outer diameter of that radius.