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Composites

Composites material testing standards are published by ASTM and MIL. Most of these standards deal with aerospace applications to ensure proper construction that can survive extreme environments. The MIL standards listed cover nondestructive testing, covering thermography, acoustic emission, radiography, and ultrasonic testing. Having a thorough and redundant testing structure for composites ensures that they can withstand any kind of situation.

ASTM E2580-17

Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Flat Panel Composites and Sandwich Core Materials Used in Aerospace Applications

1.1 This practice establishes two procedures for ultrasonic testing (UT) of flat panel composites and flat sandwich core panels (parallel surfaces). Typical as-fabricated lay-ups include uniaxial, cross ply and angle ply laminates; as well as honeycomb sandwich core materials. These procedures can be used throughout the life cycle of the materials; product and process design optimization, on line process control, after manufacture inspection, and in service inspection. Contact methods such as angle-beam techniques using shear waves, or surface-beam techniques using Lamb waves, are not discussed. 1.2 Ultrasonic testing is a common subsurface method for detection of laminar oriented discontinuities. Two techniques can be considered based on panel surface accessibility; pulse echo for one sided and through transmission (bubblers/squirters) for two sided. As used in this practice, both require the use of a pulsed straight-beam ultrasonic longitudinal wave followed by observing indications of either the reflected (pulse-echo) or received (through transmission) wave. The general types of anomalies detected by both techniques include foreign materials, delamination, disbond/un-bond, fiber de-bonding, inclusions, porosity, and voids. 1.3 This practice provides two ultrasonic test procedures. Each has its own merits and requirements for inspection and shall be selected as agreed upon in a contractual document. 1.3.1 Test Procedure A, Pulse Echo (non-contacting and contacting), is at a minimum a single transducer transmitting and receiving a longitudinal wave in the range of 0.5 to 20 MHz (see Fig. 1 ). This procedure requires access to only one side of the specimen. This procedure can be conducted by automated or manual means. Automated and manual test results may be imaged or recorded. FIG. 1 Test Procedure A, Pulse Echo Apparatus Set-up 1.3.2 Test Procedure B, Through Transmission, is a combination of two transducers. One transmits a longitudinal wave and the other receives the longitudinal wave in the range of 0.5 MHz to 20 MHz (see Fig. 2 ). This procedure requires access to both sides of the specimen. This procedure is automated and the examination results are recorded. FIG. 2 Test Procedure B, Through Transmission Apparatus Set-up 1.4 This practice does not specify accept-reject criteria. 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

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ASTM F790-18

Standard Guide for Testing Materials for Aerospace Plastic Transparent Enclosures

1.1 This guide is intended to summarize the standard test methods available on individual and composite materials utilized in fabrication of aerospace plastic transparent enclosures. As such, it is intended to specifically include transparent thermoplastics, transparent elastomers, and reinforced plastics, whether thermoplastic or thermosetting. 1.2 This guide is intended as an aid in the search for test methods pertinent to Aerospace Plastic Transparent Enclosures. It should be understood that all methods listed may not apply to all enclosures. 1.3 The standards included refer to the properties or aspects listed in Table 1 . The properties or aspects are listed in alphabetical order and the descriptions used are intended to facilitate the search. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

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MIL-HDBK-731 NOT 1

Nondestructive Testing Methods of Composite Materials - Thermography

This is the first volume of a nine volume series on nondestructive testing of composite materials. Each volume is designed to provide an overview of the general method. This volume contains an overview of techniques available for the application of thermographic nondestructive testing and evaluation techniques. General information on contact and noncontact methods of temperature measurement are discussed as these pertain directly to thermography. Special emphasis is placed on noncontact, infrared methods as these can be used for real-time observations. Practical information on the procedures which have proven useful for application if thermography to composites is discussed in some detail. In addition, present equipment which is available commercially for such tests and important test parameters which must be selected for proper observations and interpretations are discussed.

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MIL-HDBK-732A

Nondestructive Testing Methods of Composite Materials Acoustic Emission

This handbook is one of four handbooks to be used for the nondestructive testing of composites.

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MIL-HDBK-733 NOT 1

Nondestructive Testing Methods of Composite Materials - Radiography

This document is intended to provide information on radiographic techniques for examining discontinuities found in many type of reinforced composites.

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MIL-HDBK-787 NOT 1

Nondestructive Testing Methods of Composite Materials - Ultrasonic

This document is intended to provide information on using ultrasound to study several types of discontinuities found in various composite materials. The fundamentals of ultrasonics are not included as this type of information is available in MIL-HDBK-786/6.

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