Studying the Degradation of Reinforced Composites by High-Resolution Ultrasonic Means

Abstract

Nondestructive means of pulsed acoustic microscopy are used to visualize and assess the bulk microstructure of carbon fiber reinforced composites. Irreversible changes in the composite structure under the influence of external mechanical and climatic factors are studied, and the dynamics of the accumulation and growth of microscopic defects leading to destruction is studied. Ultrasonic explorations are conducted at frequencies of 50–100 MHz. It is shown that scattered (diffracted) radiation participates in image formation; this makes it possible to detect small cavities (detachment of reinforcing fibers), clusters of microscopic defects, and inclined extended cracks oriented along the fibers’ packing. These cracks are precursors to the brittle fracture of a composite, and their visualization is difficult with standard ultrasonic methods.