One of the perennial questions asked by operators of systems constructed from composite materials is how to inspect them. The key information is spread around a number of industry sectors. Users may not be aware of advances in other sectors, the status, improvements in equipment, practicalities, sensitivity or performance. The lack of a clear answer has limited the take-up of composite materials by UK industry.
Perception of NDE does not always tally with reality: 'Its too novel', 'I don’t have a procedure', 'Its not applicable in my sector', 'It’s a research tool', 'Its too expensive'….'I’ll stick with what I know……...' There has been a recent evolution in application of NDE to composites. Technologies that are widely applied can be wrongly perceived as still in the research phase.
MMS15 will address this need by delivering an Interactive Knowledge Base (IKB) on non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of composites accessible via the Internet. The IKB is intended to provide a single focal point for industrial users to information on NDE of composite materials. The IKB will guide them through what type of defects are detectable by a particular inspection technique and importantly what is the performance and probability of detection.
Suppliers of inspection systems can make exaggerated claims on the ability of detection of defects. The IKB will improve the integrity assessment of composite material systems and provide confidence to the users, plant operators that composite material systems can be included within existing asset management schemes. The IKB is intended to address all sectors, with a special focus on knowledge transfer across sectors - including process, aerospace, chemical, automotive, oil & gas, marine and utilities.
Features
A series of features will enable the user to quickly access knowledge on composite NDE, drill down for more detailed information and provide expert guidance on the methods most applicable to their application. The IKB will provide an authorative answer in one place. The result will be a 'live' IKB that will evolve and not represent a fixed point in time.
An NDT forum will enable users to submit new information, for example case studies, anecdotal information, data examples or experience of a method in a new application. The forum information will be vetted but accessible in real time to all users and if relevant inputted in the main IKB.
The IKB will answer common questions such as:
Project team
The project, part of the DTI Measurement and Materials Systems (MMS) programme, was undertaken by a team consisting of ESR Technology, NetComposites and QinetiQ.
Dissemination
Dissemination of the project outputs will be achieved through a number of mechanisms, the primary route being the NetComposites portal www.netcomposites.com , a respected source with 400 unique visitors per day and regularly consulted by 7000 companies. The project will interact closely with the complimentary MMS13 Project on defect characterisation of composites.
Duration
The project will run from April 2002 until September 2004. Organisations are invited to provide information and case studies or join the Industrial Advisory Group (IAG).
If you would like more information or to
join the Industrial Advisory Group please contact
us
