Other Inspection Technologies

In addition to the three main technologies of Laser Shearography, Ultrasonics and Bond Testing we have a number of other technologies at our disposal. Availability of these techniques can be useful when looking at a broader inspection of a structure when different materials are involved such as keel structures. These include:

Thermography - Looks at the heat profile of a subject under test. Many diverse applications but useful for inspection of sandwich composites that have suffered fluid ingress. The saturated portion having a different heat profile to any dry part of the laminate. As large areas can be inspected relatively quickly it can also help to identify the full extent and possible location of the point of ingress saving a lot of time and money trying to trace this by other means.

This picture depicts the heat profile of a set of coolant pipes.

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Radiography - Using X-rays or gamma rays which pass through a body and then produce an image on a film on the far side. Can be useful for inspecting internal flaws within components either metal or composite. The image to the left depicts a composite structure with a metal honeycomb sandwich. The X-ray was taken to view the distortion of the honeycomb where various inserts had been cut in. Due to the radiation source this is best carried out in a dedicated laboratory although it is possible, with due caution, to carry this out on site.

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Liquid Penetrant Testing - Most often used when looking at surface cracking of
metals.

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