Nondestructive Detection and Characterization of Fiber Waviness in Laminates(1001-463)

Triton Systems Inc, in partnership with its OEM airframe and inspection partners, proposes to develop and demonstrate advanced nondestructive methods for detecting and characterizing fiber waviness (also known as marcelling or wrinkling) in graphite/epoxy and fiberglass/epoxy laminate materials. TSI has put together an experienced, cross-functional team to: 1. Provide coupon level simulation of real-world composite waviness (both in- and out-of-plane); 2. Use the proposed NDI methods to demonstrate acquisition capability for waviness of increasing angle or wavelength; 3. Employ post-processing NDE techniques to manipulate full-waveform image data to provide accurate characterization of detected waviness; 4. Notionally integrate the NDI methods and NDE techniques into a functional system (for demonstration on real-world problems in Phase II); and 5. Model the results to validate probability of detection (POD) for waviness of various amplitudes (preliminary to modeling real-world POD in Phase II).