The non destructive testing company, LSP Technologies (LSPT), has been awarded a U.S. Air Force Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Technology Transition Program to enhance its Laser Bond inspection (LBI). This type of inspection is being uses to evaluate bond strength in adhesively bonded composite structures. This goal of the program is to develop a fiber optic delivery system that will increase the flexibility and capability of current LBI technology.
LSPTs Laser Bond Inspection technology uses a pulsed laser system to generate a controlled stress wave at the surface of a composite structure. The stress wave propagates into the material as a compressive wave that is reflected off the back side free surface and becomes a tensile wave. As the tensile wave passes through the internal bond line, it interrogates the adhesive bond at a selected strength value to proof-test the adhesive bond.
The program is a two-year effort, funded by the Air Force Research Laboratorys ManTech Division, the Air Force SBIR Program Office, and the Office of Naval Research. Successful maturation of a fiber optic laser beam delivery system will enable LSPTs LBI system to access a greater percentage of an adhesively bonded structure and will facilitate the inspection of partially closed out structures.
Pictured: The Laser Bond Inspection System; Photo courtesy of LSP Technologies