Non-destructive Carbon Fiber Testing
The novel non-destructive testing technology applies the electrical conductivity of carbon fiber in order to investigate the inner texture. In particular, fiber orientation and distribution or gaps, misalignment and fuzzy balls can be determined in carbon fiber textiles, fabrics, preforms and composites.
The EddyCus CF series are helpful for quality assurance of the following testing applications:
Analyzing Carbon Fiber Texture and Uniformity
Characterizing the texture of carbon fiber fabrics, preforms and composites is a major testing task. For process engineers it is important to know that the fiber orientation of each ply in a stack remains unchanged throughout the entire manfacturing process. The EddyCus systems can help to investigate the inner structure of differently oriented multi-axial fabrics. Utilizing an advance eddy current scan (EC-scan) the user can obtain information about
the fiber orientation and stacking and
the fiber distribution or spacing.
With the novel and pioneering EddyCus products carbon fiber textiles, preforms and composites can be tested in an unprecedented resolution. Advanced image processing features allow the user to separate and filter differently orientated layers and to determine the texture even of hidden layers. It especially allows the process owner to establish quality control throughout the entire value chain.
Detecting Defects in Carbon Fiber Composites
The EddyCus CF series provides advanced fiber structure analysis in high resolution across multiple layers. Defects can then be measured and easily classified by the user. The following errors are typically detected:
Distortions & misalignments,
Wrinkles & overlaps,
Fuzzy balls,
Gaps & undulations,
Impacts & delaminations.
Example of gaps in the 3rd layer of a carbon fiber triaxial fabric. The EC-scan shows two large areas, which are highlighted by the software. The user can easily classify the defect.
Determining Fiber Areal Weight of Carbon Fiber
The novel eddy current-based technology allows to determine the fiber areal weight of carbon fiber fabrics without contact. The specimen can be analyzed and mapped regarding its local carbon fiber content. The EddyCus CF system is able to measure the grammage of carbon fiber non-wovens or short fibers at a high local areal resolution. Additionally, the system can be used for industrial inline process control.
Carbon fiber fleece sample (non-woven). The EC-scan provides the local areal weight at 1 x 1 mm² resolution. This sample is not entirely uniform and exhibits minor inhomogeneities.
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