Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTSThe diagnosis of components made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic composites (CFRP) for internal defects can be carried out using various non-destructive testing methods, such as X-ray, pulse-echo ultrasonic methods and, for certain materials, magnetic methods, eddy current methods as well as radar and terahertz methods.
However, testing with these methods has some disadvantages. They are only sensitive when detecting structural damage in the immediate vicinity of the sensor and are difficult to use for more complex, thick-walled geometries. The acoustic emission analysis method considered here uses guided acoustic waves that spread over a large area in the component after structural damage has occurred and are detected and localized by individual sensors on the component. This means that acoustic sensors can monitor larger components, even if they are installed at a great distance from each other.
The aim of the project was to take the step from the localization and description of individual sound events in the component to a component-related statement regarding the overall integrity, which is still open at the current state of the art. To this end, tests were carried out both on components in new condition and on components that had undergone repairs.
IKTS was responsible for extending the evaluation algorithms from 2D to 3D structures, developing new 32-channel hardware, providing metrological support for fatigue tests and interpreting the results of the acoustic emission measurements.
Funding: European Union funding from the ERDF fund, Sächsische Aufbaubank SAB
Project period: January 2021 - December 2022
Project partner:
- IMA Materials Research and Application Technology GmbH
- Lightweight Construction Center Saxony GmbH
- cp.max Rotortechnik GmbH&Co. KG
