Technical Note: Detection of delamination in tyres using eddy currents

Abstract

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a useful tool to assess the structural integrity of components in order to maintain quality and safety standards. A low-cost electromagnetic technique based on eddy currents induced into a material appeared promising for the inspection of composite materials. Experiments were carried out in order to assess the potential of eddy currents in detecting delamination in rubber tyres. Infrared thermography was used to verify inspection results achieved with eddy currents. Non-destructive examination results are presented in this paper; these confirm that eddy current testing is an economically viable alternative for the inspection of steel reinforced truck tyres.