Thermal imaging and Thermoelastic Stress Analysis of impact damage of composite materials

The infrared thermography, together with Thermoelastic Stress Analysis and Pulse heating thermography, is used in evaluation of impact damage in fiberglass composite materials. The controlled impact of fiberglass specimen was recorded by a high frame rate infrared thermal camera. The elastic deformation, together with the damage, was evaluated and compared with the post-impact analysis performed by methods of Thermoelastic Stress Analysis and Pulse heating thermography. The applicability and limitations of presented infrared based methods were addressed. Combination of both methods, Thermoelastic Stress Analysis and Pulse heating thermography, is suggested as appropriate for detecting damage including fiber fractures and delamination.