Infrared thermographic detection and characterisation of impact damage in carbon fibre composites: results of the round robin test

Results of inspecting an impact damaged carbon fibre composite specimen are reported. Several physical test procedures and processing .algorithms have been analysed within the framework of the international Round Robin Test. A statistical means for rating non-destructive testing techniques is proposed to convert otiginal infrared images to defect maps that are of special interest for end-users. The :potentials of the techniques for oharacterising shape and depth distribution of impact damage in carbon fibre composites are discussed, 'including comparison with ultrasonic C-scan results.