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Project

Development of low-power Vibro-Thermal Tomography for 3D super-resolution imaging of defects in composites

High-performance fiber reinforced polymers (or composites) are widely used in high-tech applications (e.g. in aerospace, wind energy), and require reliable and cost-effective non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques to assure their integrity. A profound NDT technique should not only detect a defect, but also extract quantitative information about its size, depth and severity. Ultrasonic and X-ray techniques are mostly used for inspection of composites, but they have clear limitations in (direct) costs, experimental time, safety and imaging resolution, amongst others. This research project proposes the synergy between vibrational and thermographic testing, resulting in Vibro-Thermographic inspection methodology. The idea is to use vibrational excitation in order to induce frictional and viscoelastic heat dissipation at defects, which can then be monitored by a sensitive infrared camera. Specific vibrational input signals are investigated in order to increase the vibro-thermal response, and to selectively activate and image defects. By coupling the vibro-thermal imaging to tomographic reconstruction processes, 3D defect imaging and characterization will be achieved. The anisotropic heat diffusion in composites will lead to a blurred vision of defects. Therefore, concepts from super-resolution microscopy are transferred and adapted to vibro-thermal imaging, in view of obtaining detailed and sharp 3D defect imaging in composites.

Date:1 Nov 2021 →  31 Jul 2023
Keywords:Tomography, Damage imaging, Composites, Super-resolution, Vibro-thermography, Signal processing
Disciplines:Heat transfer, Destructive and non-destructive testing of materials, Dynamics, vibration and vibration control, Short and long fibre reinforced composites, Numerical modelling and design