Non-destructive testingNDT

A non-destructive method that sends high-frequency sound pulses into a material and analyses the reflected or transmitted signals to detect internal flaws and measure thickness. In composites it is the principal technique for finding delaminations, voids and disbonds, applied by pulse-echo or through-transmission scanning.

A two-dimensional plan-view map of a component produced by ultrasonic scanning, in which signal amplitude or time of flight is plotted over the scanned area. It is the standard output of automated composite inspection, showing the size and position of delaminations, voids and inclusions at a glance.

A non-destructive method that uses an infrared camera to map surface temperature, revealing subsurface defects, trapped moisture or thermal bridges by their effect on heat flow. Active thermography with controlled heating is used on composites to find disbonds and impact damage, while passive surveys are widely used to locate wet insulation in flat roofs.

A non-destructive method that passes X-rays or gamma rays through a component onto a detector, so that internal features and defects appear as density variations in the image. It is used on welds, castings and bonded or composite assemblies, and computed tomography variants provide full three-dimensional views.

Separation of the plies within a laminate, caused by impact, manufacturing defects, fatigue or moisture ingress. Because it can spread unseen beneath an undamaged surface and sharply reduces compressive strength, delamination is a primary target of non-destructive inspection.