Interaction of shear wave polarization and composite laminate layup: experiment and modeling

Abstract

<p>The layup sequence in a composite laminate greatly effects its properties. If one ply is misaligned in the layup sequence, it can result in the part being rejected and discarded. At the present time, most manufacturers cut a small coupon from the waste edge and use a microscope to optically verify the ply orientations on critical parts. This can add a substantial cost to the product since the test is both labor intensive and performed after the part is cured. A nondestructive teclmique which could be used to test the part after curing and require less time than the optical test would be very beneficial, and one that could be performed prior to curing would be extremely desirable. Preliminary tests demonstrate a high probability that the model and tests developed in this thesis can be used for characterizing uncured layups as well.</p>