The Application of Automated Ultrasonic Inspection for Damage Detection and Evaluation in Composite Materials

Among the many methods available for non-destructive testing of composite materials, ultrasonic inspection is certainly one of the most widely used. Many of the inspection problems posed by composites can be dealt with effectively using ultrasonics. Signal processing techniques have furthermore advanced the state-of-the-art of non-destructive evaluation and testing [1]. In this paper we will describe the system built at the V.U.B. [2]. It will be shown that the use of digital signal processing and modern spectral analysis can solve some problems concerning the determination of flaws in a composite laminate.