Quality control by infrared thermography of the infusion manufacturing process of composite automotive specimens

Abstract

In this study the main defects appearing in composite manufacturing by infusion process are investigated to develop specific quality control routines. The technology employed to analyse this process and carry out quality controls is infrared thermography which, due to the special configuration of infusion manufacturing, allows an on-line monitoring of the whole process. This study was conducted at laboratory level with different composite materials, determining the thermal behaviour of the zones undergoing anomalies. This way a complete procedure for anticipating defect initialization and stopping the manufacturing process in early stages was defined, enabling repair actions and saving time and costs.

Keywords:

• Infrared thermography
• monitoring
• infusion manufacturing process
• composite materials

Acknowledgements

Authors wish to acknowledge the support of the Basque Country Regional Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Trade and Tourism for supporting this study.

Notes

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Basque Country Regional Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Trade and Tourism [project number IE14-383, AIRHEM-III].