Experimental Testing of Aramid Composite Applied in Ballistic Armour by Ultrasonic IR Thermography

Abstract

Reference samples, in which artificial discontinuities (defects) are fabricated, are used to verify non-destructive testing procedures. Artificial discontinuities are known defects of reference samples and enable verification the feasibility of the verified NDT method for the identification of location and depth of discontinuities. Thermographic inspection of reference samples also helps to determine the required thermal input source parameters to test samples. This paper presents the results of experimental testing for ultrasonic IR thermography of defects in aramid composite laminate intended for light ballistic armour. Specimens of the aramid composite material included artificial defects and were inspected at various ultrasonic frequencies. Optical thermography and X-ray inspection were carried out on the same specimens, and their results were compared to those determined with ultrasonic IR thermography.