Abstract
This paper examines the origins of damage in composite materials and how such damage may be located using non-destructive techniques such as ultrasonics, acousto-ulrrasonics, X-radiography, computer aided tomography, electronic speckle pattern interferometry etc.
Quantification of the damage is then discussed along with the need to adopt a ‘repair design strategy’. Practical problems of repair specification are highlighted demonstrating the need to take into account the complicating factors of laminate moisture penetration, time dependent chemical changes in polymer resins, high temperature operating requirements and composite joint technology.
Using the aircraft industry as an example, the effectiveness of temporary and long term repairs are compared and contrasted. Finally, the evaluation and efficiency of repairs are briefly discussed emphasising the wide variations which occur in practice.
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