Phased array inspection of glass fiber reinforced polymers pipeline joints

Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) laminated joints combine properties such as high mechanical resistance, low specific weight and high corrosion resistance, features that allow their application in harsh environments. The structural integrity of these components must be ensured; therefore, their inspection through non-destructive methods capable of certifying such integrity is necessary. This work evaluates the phased array inspection of GFRP laminated joints, in order to detect defects frequently found in this material. For the development of the study, artificial flaws representing interply delamination were inserted in the material. The experiments were conducted with a 32 elements matrix probe (500 kHz frequency). Two focal laws were applied aiming the detection of the existing defects. Results indicated that the proposed methodology is adequate for the detection of the flaws, highlighting the performance of focal laws with focal spots in the back wall of the joint. Keywords: Phased array, Ultrasonics, GFRP, Non-destructive inspection, Composites