Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
08:40
Ultrasonic Welding of Thermoplastic Composite Coupons for Mechanical Characterization of Welded Joints through Single Lap Shear Testing
Published on: February 11, 2016
Detection of delamination defects in CFRP materials using ultrasonic signal processing
Abdessalem Benammar1, Redouane Drai, Abderrezak Guessoum
1Image and Signal Processing Laboratory, Welding and NDT Centre, Chéraga, Algeria. Abs_benammar@yahoo.fr
Ultrasonics
|May 27, 2008
Summary
Signal processing techniques like split spectrum processing (SSP) and expectation-maximization (EM) effectively resolve delamination echoes in carbon fiber composites. These validated methods improve ultrasonic detection of defects in aircraft materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Non-Destructive Testing
- Signal Processing
Background:
- Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are crucial in aerospace.
- Ultrasonic testing is vital for detecting internal defects like delaminations.
- Resolving weak delamination echoes in multi-layered CFRP is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate signal processing techniques for delamination echo resolution in CFRP.
- To compare the effectiveness of split spectrum processing (SSP) and the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm.
- To validate simulation findings with experimental data from aircraft components.
Main Methods:
- Application of split spectrum processing (SSP) for echo analysis.
- Implementation of the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for defect detection.
- Conducting simulation studies followed by experimental validation on CFRP samples.
Main Results:
- Both SSP and EM algorithms demonstrated capability in resolving delamination echoes.
- The study provided a comparative analysis of the two signal processing methods.
- Experimental validation confirmed the efficacy of the tested techniques on real-world defects.
Conclusions:
- Signal processing offers a viable approach to enhance ultrasonic detection of delaminations in CFRP.
- SSP and EM are promising techniques for improving non-destructive evaluation of composite materials.
- The findings contribute to more reliable defect assessment in aerospace applications.
