A Comparison of NDE Methods for Inspection of Composite Ceramic Armor
Abstract
As part of a US Army supported project to establish appropriate NDE modalities for inspecting layered ceramic-composite armor, a series of 84 40 cm (16-inch) square by 50 mm (2-inch) thick, multi-layered ceramic composite armor specimens has been prepared. Some of these have had "designed defects" located in the interior--some do not. All samples are to be ballistically impacted and are to be inspected before and after ballistic testing. The question to be answered is--which NDE modality might best be used to quantify ballistically-induced damage. NDE modalities under present study include: 1) immersion phased array ultrasonics, 2) through-transmission, direct-digital x-ray imaging, 3) non-contact scanning microwaves, 4) air-coupled ultrasound and 5) immersion, through transmission and pulse-echo single-transducer ultrasound. At this time, all 84 samples have been inspected prior to ballistic testing. This paper will discuss these NDE techniques, issues that have been uncovered and will present results obtained.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 08, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA517415
Entities
People
- E. R. Koehl
- J. S. Steckenrider
- L. P. Franks
- T. J. Meitzler
- W. A. Ellingson
Organizations
- Argonne National Laboratory