Military Applications of Infrared Thermography Nondestructive Testing in Poland

Composite materials are often more practical in use for different military applications. These materials provide interesting results especially through their good strength properties, corrosion resistance and low specific weight. These materials have various structures. Any defect of these materials usually has a more complicated and other form than in metals and that is why methods and diagnostic techniques checked in metal constructions are often deceptive in constructions made from composite materials. The infrared thermography non-destructive testing methods prove to meet the expectations well in composite constructions. The main centre in Poland for research and development works on infrared thermography non-destructive methods is the Military Institute of Armament Technology (MIAT) where works are carried out for three groups of composite materials used in following areas: aviation, light ballistic protections and ammunition. Also some works on using the infrared thermography to detect the buried mines are conducted here. The paper contains a short review of current and planned research works on the above mentioned subjects in MIAT. Introduction: Methods and techniques for nondestructive testing are designed for the detection of materials discrete defects and the estimation of material properties without causing changes of their performance. They are used in diagnostics and industry to assure high quality of components, final products, devices and constructions. Except numerous applications of nondestructive testing in civilian industry they have found a wide use in rocket industry, aircraft industry, arms industry and especially in military applications. Typical technical objects of nondestructive testing are among other things all types of materials connection (welded joints, glue connections, soldered joints etc.) and also constructions and elements made from composite materials. Because requirements of users are growing so it is necessary to develop methods, techniques and equipment for nondestructive testing. This development is becoming faster. The equipment to nondestructive testing is more various. Growing requirements with relation to research methods and apparatus cause increasing demand on the staff involved on nondestructive testing to have higher level of knowledge. It relates both to the range of acquaintance of physical rules of research methods and apparatus handling as well as materials properties of testing objects. One of nondestructive testing methods that has followed a quick development is the infrared thermography. This is caused by the new generation of quick thermal cameras, which make possible the research of quick processes of heat transfer, and by the development of data processing algorithms [1, 2]. In Poland in spite of relatively long traditions of works connected with nondestructive testing by infrared thermography method for military applications it is not developed so far to meet all the needs. This is connected among other things with unstable situation in military scientific – research establishments in last years. This results from the structural change occurring in the Polish army. At the moment the main center in Poland interested in the use of infrared thermography methods for military applications is the Military Institute of Armament Technology. Main directions of works on the infrared thermography carried out in the Institute are focusing at nondestructive testing of composite materials used in aviation, light ballistic protections and elements of rockets and ammunitions. There are also works carried out over the use of infrared thermography in such military applications as detection of buried mines, estimation of the mortar barrel temperature during firing or development of means to infrared camouflage of military