Next generation of non-destructive testing of composites using advanced ultrasound imaging

近年来，先进复合材料的应用激增，包括航空航天在内的许多行业都在从传统金属结构向复合材料结构过渡。这部分是因为复合材料的性能优于金属材料的前景，部分是因为人们希望向更轻、更高效的结构发展。随着复合材料越来越多地应用于更复杂的结构和更快的制造工艺中，对质量控制的需求成为制造过程中的一个关键方面。目前无损检测的标准是常规的超声成像，在检测和量化各种类型的缺陷方面存在着根本的局限性。这笔NSERC联盟伙伴关系赠款确定了材料工程师和超声成像专家之间开发下一代非破坏性成像技术的新合作项目。我们将结合超声波成像的最新进展，开发一种框架，准确地检测和量化复合材料部件中存在的缺陷。在短期内，近期项目的重点是航空航天行业。从长远来看，这一框架可以转移到其他行业，包括汽车和能源行业。我们的成像解决方案将与我们的工业合作伙伴波音公司的制造工艺兼容。我们的成功记录、互补的技能、广泛的合作和领导力将实现这一愿景。在这个项目中培训的HQP将获得必要的技能，以满足加拿大工业界和学术界的迫切需求。对具有图像和数据分析以及复合材料研究的HQP的需求正在大幅增长。这些HQP将很容易在加拿大公司获得就业机会，例如航空航天和汽车公司。

In recent years, there has been a surge in the application of advanced composites and a transition from legacymetallic structures to composite structures across many industries, including aerospace. This is in part fueled by the promise of superior properties of composites over their metallic counterparts and in part by the desire to move towards lighter and more efficient structures. As composites are increasingly used in more complex structures and faster manufacturing processes, the need for quality control becomes a critical aspect of the fabrication. The current standard for non-destructive inspection is conventional ultrasound imaging, which has fundamental limitations to detect and quantify various types of defects. This NSERC Alliance Partnership grant defines a new collaborative project between material engineers and ultrasound imaging experts to develop the next generation of non-destructive imaging techniques. We will integrate process recent advancements in ultrasound imagining to develop a framework that accurately detects and quantifies the presence of defects in composite parts. In the short-term, the focus of the immediate project is on the aerospace industry. In the long-term, this framework can be transferred to other industries including automotive and energy sectors. Our imaging solutions will be compatible with the manufacturing processes of our industrial partner, the Boeing Company. Our record of success, complimentary skills, extensive collaborations, and leadership will achieve this vision. HQP trained in this project will gain necessary skills to meet the pressing needs of Canadian industry and academia. The demand for HQP with image and data analytics, and composite material research is growing substantially. These HQP will readily attain employment in Canadian companies, e.g., aerospace and automotive.