Air-coupled ultrasonic testing to estimate internal defects in composite panels used for boats and luxury yachts

In constructions of boats and luxury yachts, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite materials are widely employed owing to their high mechanical performance, light weight and flexibility in manufacturing complex shapes. However, GFRP composite materials can be affected by several intrinsic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal on interactive design and manufacturing 2020-03, Vol.14 (1), p.35-41
Main Authors: Quattrocchi, Antonino, Freni, Fabrizio, Montanini, Roberto
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CAE) and Design
Composite materials
Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD
Defects
Delamination
Design engineering
Electronics and Microelectronics
Engineering
Engineering Design
Fiber composites
Fiber reinforced polymers
Glass fiber reinforced plastics
Industrial Design
Instrumentation
Manufacturing
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical properties
Original Paper
Panels
Polyesters
Resins
Scanners
Signal to noise ratio
Software
Structural safety
Ultrasonic testing
Velocity
Weight reduction
Yachts
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Summary:In constructions of boats and luxury yachts, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite materials are widely employed owing to their high mechanical performance, light weight and flexibility in manufacturing complex shapes. However, GFRP composite materials can be affected by several intrinsic defects (e.g. inclusion, delamination, resin excess or lack), because of both wrong production process and post-production handling. Although conventional ultrasonic testing is the most applied method to enhance the structural safety and quality, it presents a strong limitation in achieving an efficient contact between the transducers and the testing surfaces. Air-coupled ultrasonic testing can be used as a valid alternative, overcoming the previous disadvantage. Aim of this study is to demonstrate the ability of air-coupled ultrasonic testing (ACUT) for qualitatively and quantitatively evaluation of internal defects in GFRP composite panels as those typically used for boats and luxury yachts construction. Simulated delaminations of different sizes have been analysed as well as excess and lack of resin. Results highlighted that a good signal-to-noise ratio can be achieved for delamination greater than 15 mm with correct defect shape recovering, hence making ACUT an appropriate choice for the interactive engineering design and manufacturing of boats.
ISSN:1955-2513
1955-2505
DOI:10.1007/s12008-019-00611-5