摘要 |
A system and method for nondestructively inspecting and monitoring materials that indicates the structural integrity of the material is disclosed. The inspection method includes the following steps. First, the material to be subsequently monitored, is tagged by dispersing a small amount of finely divided particles throughout the material. The tagged material is then applied in accordance with its application, such as adhesive material to two pieces to be joined to form an adhesive joint. When the adhesive joint or other material is to be inspected, the tagged particles are activated to cause an inherent structural resonance in the tagged material. The activation and structural resonance of the material is then monitored and measured with a probe. Finally, the structure resonance of the material is related to the structural integrity of the adhesive joint, the matrix-reinforcement interface integrity of a composite material, or the state of cure of a resin. The tagged particles may be ferromagnetic particles and the probe either an electromagnetic field coil and an actuator or an electromagnetic field coil and an acoustic emission probe. The tagged particles may be piezoelectric particles and the probe either an electric field and an acelerometer or an electric field and an acoustic emission probe. Alternately, the tagged particles may be acoustic impedance mismatch particles and the probe is an ultrasonic inspection probe.
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