Ultrasonic C-Scan Standardization for Polymer-Matrix Composites - Acoustic Considerations

Ultrasonic C-scan inspection techniques are widely used for the non-destructive evaluation of fiber-reinforced polymer composites. A C-scan is any two-dimensional scan of a specimen that produces a map of a parameter, such as reflected amplitude, as it varies across the surface of the specimen. The technique can be used to detect, measure and characterize a wide range of manufacturing and in-service defects in these materials. At present there is no international or national standard operational procedure available for ultrasonic C-scan inspection of fiber-reinforced composite structures—current standards are directed towards the inspection of metals.