MANUFACTURING DEFECTS IN FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTICS COMPOSITES

Non-destructive evaluation has three major functions for research, dev elopment and applications testing of fibre-reinforced composite materi als and structures: initial inspection of test specimens and confirmat ion of the structural integrity of new components monitoring laborator y tests in progress and evaluation of components subjects to service l oads analysing test results after failure and proof loading of compone nts during their service life. The paper reviews the defects which are likely to occur during the manufacture of such materials, and conside rs the criticality of the defect which may need to be detected. The im plications of material inhomogeneity and anisotropy are examined in th e context of non-destructive testing techniques.