Parallel Thermal Wave IR Video Imaging of Polymer Coatings and Adhesive Bonds

Abstract

Bonding of materials such as metals, plastics, ceramics, alloys, and composites are extremely important in the manufacturing industry. One of the most common1y used bondings is the adhesive bond. In this paper we describe the use of parallel thermal wave IR video imaging[1,2] for the detection of bonding flaws in plastic and composite samples and also for the inspection of polymer coatings on metal. Using both parallel box-car thermal wave imaging[3] and parallel vector lock-in thermal wave imaging,[ 4] sub-surface defects have been detected in painted metal panels, and in epoxy and vinyl adhesive bondings of nylon and composite samples. EXPERIMENTAL