Nondestructive investigation of fibre reinforced composites by X-ray computed tomography

The quality of fibre composites depends on -the distribution on fibre- and matrix-material -size and concentration of pores -size and location of delaminations. For optimzation processes during fabrication nondestructive testing methods are required. The X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a powerful tool to determine the density distribution in such materials. With a modified medical CT-system defects and inhomogeneities in fibre reinforced components can be detected. But this system only resolves details in the order of magnitude of 5 mm. Because even smaller defects and changes in density can cause a damage higher detectability and resolution are demanded. This asks for special X-ray sources and detector systems. This contribution discusses the requirements for a high resolution X-ray CT unit and represents a new microfocal CT system with a resolution capability in the order of magnitude 10 mym. Results of investigations of fibre reinforced composites with the modified medical CT-syst em and the bigh resolution tomography unit are presented.