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In March 2022, Dolphitech (Gjøvik, Norway) performed a capability study on a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) panel made to the specification of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) NDI Proficiency specimen 2A to determine the effectiveness of its ultrasonic platform for nondestructive testing (NDT). With feedback on this inspection report, the company has now presented further results from a second panel, NDI Proficiency specimen 1A, to further assess both NDT equipment and personnel. 

Dolphitech says the 24- x 18-inch panel (see both sides of the panel above) featured various manufacturing flaws typical of aerospace composites, including Carbospheres, pillow inserts, grinding disk cut, flat bottom holes, left-in prepreg backing, adhesive backing, grease, Grafoil and sealant. The panel was a 32 ply cocured substructure (16-ply main laminate with 16-ply bonded stiffener substructure and a 16-ply bonded laminate). This corresponds to a nominal thickness over the majority of the panel of ~0.128 inch with a maximum thickness of ~0.3 inch over the stiffeners and bonded area. A dolphicam2 and a transducer module (TRM) were both used for the inspection.

Final results note that, using this equipment, all manufactured flaws present (mentioned above) in the composite panel were clearly characterized and resolved in a single setup. Moreover, Dolphitech says flaws could be sized, and were found to be in good agreement with nominal dimensions.

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