Nondestructive Evaluation of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Using Microwave Techniques: A Review

Abstract

Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is widely acknowledged as a leading advanced material structure, offering superior properties compared to traditional materials, and has found diverse applications in several industrial sectors, such as that of automobiles, aircrafts, and power plants. However, the production of CFRP composites is prone to fabrication problems, leading to structural defects arising from cycling and aging processes. Identifying these defects at an early stage is crucial to prevent service issues that could result in catastrophic failures. Hence, routine inspection and maintenance are crucial to prevent system collapse. To achieve this objective, conventional nondestructive testing (NDT) methods are utilized to inspect CFRP components. However, the restricted field penetration within the CFRP makes conventional NDT approaches ineffective. Recently, microwave techniques have been developed to address the challenges associated with CFRP inspection by providing better material penetration and more precise results. This paper offers a review of the primary NDT methods employed to inspect CFRP composites, emphasizing microwave-based NDT techniques and their key features.