Detection of Inner Defects [Delaminating] in Composite Structures using Ultrasonic Method [UT]

For inquiry of application of ultrasonic method [UT] possibilities at composite materials inspection specimens based on the carbon fibres that correspond to structure aircraft elements were designed and made. Applied specimens were made of different composite materials with various numbers of layers and various thicknesses. For simulation of delaminating in different layers of tested structure holes with flat bottom [disk-reflector] were drilled. The Masterscan 340 [SONATEST] device with straight probes was used in inspection of composite materials by ultrasonic method [UT] with different frequency array and crystal sizes. Based on these tests the possibilities of ultrasonic method for NDT inspections of thick composite aircraft structure elements were proved.