Ultrasonic evaluation of induction heat treatment applied to thermoplastic matrix CFRP

Thermoplastic matrix carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) are extensively utilized for composites structures in the aerospace and aeronautical industries. Diverse techniques were currently applied to joining composite parts, the most promising method is the induction heat treatment. In this paper, experimental tests were performed on thermoplastic matrix CFRP specimens by varying the induction heat treatment parameters: power, frequency and current. An advanced ultrasonic (UT) non-destructive evaluation based on pulse-echo technique was employed for the investigation of the utilized process parameters through the UT evaluation of the process induced damage and its depth along the thickness of the thermoplastic matrix CFRP laminates.