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A comparison of different approaches for imaging cracks in composites by X-ray microtomography

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Title: A comparison of different approaches for imaging cracks in composites by X-ray microtomography
Authors: Yu, B
Bradley, RS
Soutis, C
Withers, PJ
Item Type: Journal Article
Abstract: X-ray computed tomography (CT) has emerged as a key imaging tool in the characterization of materials, allowing three-dimensional visualization of an object non-destructively as well as enabling the monitoring of damage accumulation over time through time-lapse imaging. However, small defects and cracks can be difficult to detect, particularly in composite materials where low-contrast, plate-like geometries of large area can compromise detectability. Here, we investigate a number of strategies aimed at increasing the capability of X-ray CT to detect composite damage such as transverse ply cracking and delamination, looking specifically at a woven glass fibre-reinforced three-dimensional composite. High-resolution region of interest (ROI) scanning, in situ loading, phase contrast and contrast agents are examined systematically as strategies for improving the defect detectability. Spatial resolution, contrast, signal-to-noise ratio, full width at half maximum, user friendliness and measurement time are all considered. Taken together, the results suggest that high-resolution ROI scanning combined with the increased contrast resulting from staining give the highest defect detectability.
Issue Date: 30-May-2016
Date of Acceptance: 7-Mar-2016
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/40363
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2016.0037
ISSN: 1364-503X
Publisher: The Royal Society
Journal / Book Title: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Volume: 374
Issue: 2071
Copyright Statement: © 2016 The Authors. Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, provided the original author and source are credited.
Keywords: General Science & Technology
MD Multidisciplinary
Publication Status: Published
Article Number: 20160037
Appears in Collections:Aeronautics
Faculty of Engineering