New NDT approach for adhesive composite bonds

A new NDT approach for an integral quality control of adheseve composite bonds is discussed. In Addition to conventional NDT for defect detection some new methods for characterisation ofpolymer properties of the adherent and of the adhesive properties are presented (Extended NDT, E-NDT). It is analysed which factors should be detected by E-NDT because the crucially influence the performance of adhesive bonds. Finally, basic requirements are specified which have to be fulfilled to reach an advanced level of technological maturity for E-NDT methods in aircraft applications.