Scan quality optimization for measuring Fiber-Metal-Laminates with X-Ray computed tomography

Abstract

In this study, X-Ray computed tomography is used as an inspection method for Fiber-Metal-Laminates (FML) with an aluminum core and a carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic matrix. As the mechanical characteristics of thermoplastic based FML strongly depend on the quality of the interface between metal and laminate, it is important to particularly investigate this region. However, the aluminum core may cause beam-hardening artifacts, which reduce the image quality especially in high-resolution scans. Therefore, a parameter study was carried out using different combinations of metal filters out of aluminum and copper to find an efficient balance between artifact reduction and scan duration. The investigated FML-specimens are used for short-beam shear tests (SBS). The optimized parameters lead to a scan quality, which allows for a more detailed description of both matrix cracking and delamination at the interface between the aluminum core and the fiber-reinforced-polymers (FRPs). As a reference measurement of the FML specimens, we used a computed tomography scan acquired at the Synchrotron radiation facility SOLEIL.