A combined linear and nonlinear ultrasound time-domain approach for impact damage detection in composite structures...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
• Ultrasonic Testing

Background:

• Detecting barely visible impact damage in composites is crucial for industrial applications.
• Current methods for damage assessment often lack precision and can be limited in scope.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel frequency sweep ultrasound imaging technique for composite damage assessment.
• To independently visualize linear and nonlinear ultrasound components for improved damage detection.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a combined linear and nonlinear ultrasound imaging technique with frequency sweep excitation.
• Deconstructed time-domain signals to separate linear and nonlinear ultrasound responses.
• Employed image segmentation and binary imaging for automated damage sizing and false positive removal.

Main Results:

• The proposed method accurately detected barely visible impact damage in composite materials.
• Combined linear and nonlinear approaches yielded more precise results than purely linear or nonlinear methods.
• The technique's performance was comparable to standard phased array systems.

Conclusions:

• The frequency sweep ultrasound method offers a robust approach for composite damage assessment.
• Visualizing nonlinear ultrasound outputs enhances understanding of underlying mechanisms.
• Integrated linear and nonlinear NDT/E systems represent the future of material inspection.