Damage Detection in Sandwich Composite Materials
- Summary
- Researchers at Purdue University have developed a component inspection method that can locate subsurface damage in sandwich composite materials. Damage detection is achieved with a three-dimensional laser vibrometer that collects forced frequency response data on a component that is being excited by a piezoelectric actuator. Using this data, damage can be reliably detected throughout a component without having to remove it from its structure.
- Technology Benefits
- Inspect component without removing it from structureDetects damage throughout entire component
- Technology Application
- ManufacturingMachiningDamage Analysis
- Detailed Technology Description
- Purdue Mechanical Engineering
- Countries
- United States
- Application No.
- 8,656,779
- *Abstract
-
- *Background
- Stiffened laminate and sandwich composite materials used in military aircraft, helicopter blades, etc., consist of multiple layers that may exhibit subsurface damage mechanisms, such as disbonds, ply cracking, core crushing, and core cracking, which usually cannot be identified using visual inspections. It is also difficult to inspect composite structures, such as blades and fuselage sections, using localized methods, e.g., coin tap, ultrasonic, thermographic, impedance, unless these structural components are first removed from the structure. Furthermore, these localized methods can detect damage within approximately 1/8 inch from the surface, but do not penetrate into deep composite laminate or sandwich sections.
- *IP Issue Date
- Feb 25, 2014
- *IP Type
- Utility
- *Stage of Development
- Product
- *Web Links
- Purdue Office of Technology CommercializationPurdueInnovation and EntrepreneurshipPurdue Mechanical Engineering
- Country/Region
- USA
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