Terahertz FMCW inspection of GFRP composites: Comparison with conventional NDT techniques and enhanced defect detection capability through semi-automatic 3-D image processing

A range of composite materials that contain glass fiber reinforced polymers is inspected for various defects such as debonds, delaminations and foreign inclusions with a terahertz FMCW imaging system. The results are evaluated manually and by means of semi-automatic image processing, which enhances the detection rate. Comparison with reference measurements from established NDT techniques shows high defect detectability with the terahertz approach.