SBIR Phase II: Real-Time Magneto-Optic Nondestructive Inspection of Tagged Composite Materials

这个小型企业创新研究第二阶段项目将进一步开发一种用于第一阶段首次探索的复合材料的无损检测技术(NDI)。复合材料是许多传统金属结构部件的坚固、轻质的替代品。然而，由于复合材料的高电阻率和/或高超声衰减，经常难以检测其不连续性。在第一阶段，物理研究公司(PRI)证明了使用实时磁光/涡流成像(MOI)技术(由PRI开发)来形成带标记的复合材料中缺陷的图像的基本可行性。在制造过程中标记了微量磁性颗粒的复合材料，或使用导电丝网构建的复合材料，成功地检查了纤维编织中的空洞、裂纹、冲击损伤和不连续。第二阶段研究的主要目标是1)开发一种特别适用于复合材料应用的MOI系统(例如，改进的磁光传感器、机载充磁装置)2)与复合材料制造商合作开发符合行业需要的标记技术3)旨在阐明基本原理的完整研究。第二阶段的研究将由受控实验(和计算)组成，旨在确定针对特定类型缺陷的最佳标记类型、所需的最小标签量以及这种标记对复合材料物理性能的影响。PRI预计，第二阶段的研究将取得成功，并将产生一个能够检查各种复合材料的MOI系统。军事和民用航空航天部门都将从这种新的NDI方法中受益。在制造过程中使用磁性颗粒(或金属丝网)标记复合材料将为复合材料的MOI基无损检测提供一种简单、低成本、快速的方法。这种在制造期间和以后使用中或维修期间对复合材料进行NDI的新功能将导致MOI的销售增加。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will further develop a nondestructive inspection technique (NDI) for composites first explored in Phase 1. Composite materials are strong, lightweight substitutes for many traditional metallic structural components. However, composites are often difficult to inspect for discontinuities due to their high electrical resistively and/or high ultrasonic attenuation. In Phase I, Physical Research Inc. (PRi) demonstrated the basic feasibility of using real time magneto-optic/eddy current imaging (MOI) techniques (developed by PRi) to form images of defects in `tagged` composites. Composites tagged during manufacturing with trace quantities of magnetic particles, or constructed with electrically conducting wire screens, were successfully inspected for voids, cracks, impact damage and discontinuities in fiber weave. The principal objectives of the Phase II research are to 1) Develop an MOI system that is specially adapted to applications in composites (e.g., improved magneto-optic sensors, on-board magnetizing devices) 2) Work with manufacturers of composite materials to develop tagging techniques that are compatible with industry needs 3) Complete studies designed to elucidate basic principles. The Phase II research will consist of controlled experiments (and calculations) designed to determine the optimum kinds of tagging for a particular type of defect, the minimum amount of tagging required and the effect this tagging has on the physical properties of composites. Pri anticipates that the Phase II research will be successful and that an MOI system capable of inspecting a wide range of composite materials will be the outcome. Both the military and civilian aerospace sectors will benefit from this new NDI method. Tagging composites with magnetic particles (or wire screens) during manufacturing will result in a simple, low cost, rapid method for MOI-based NDI of composites. This new capability for NDI of composites during manufacture and later in-service or during repairs, will lead to enhanced sales of the MOI.