Laser Ultrasonic Testing Technology for Diagnosis of Reusable Launch Vehicle CFRP Composite Combustion Chamber
< Conceptual image of rotational pulse-echo laser ultrasonic testing system for CFRP composite combustion chamber >
We are currently developing an inspection system for assessing the reusability of solid fuel combustion chambers made of CFRP composites used in launch vehicles
< System configuration of rotational pulse-echo laser ultrasonic testing system >
The goal of the system is to detect external changes and internal defects in th CFRP composite combustion chamber exposed to the launch environment (combustion environment) and ultimately determine its suitability for reuse.
< Depth-wise defect visualization in CFRP composites >
We have been developing the system to perform pulse-echo mode inspections on CFRP composites thicker than the combustion chamber's thickness, and the feasibility of defect detection at various thickness levels has been validated.
< Insepction result of fuselage of small launch vehicle >
In the case of a small launch vehicle fuselage, we have successfully dtected damages tha occurred during the manufacturing process using a similar setup of the inspection system
In addition to the validation of defect detection feasibility, further research is underway to estimate the locations of thickness-direction defects.