A numerical model was used to simulate the thermal response of a specific sample of graphite epoxy composite while excitation was provided by a specific, commercially available high-energy pulsed xenon flash lamp capable of repetitive pulses of 600 J each. A three-dimensional mathematical model was developed using polar coordinates to simulate the composite panel with implanted circular defects. The panel consisted of eight plies, and simulated defects included overlaps (added plies) and missing plies. During the first second of the simulation, six heat pulses of 0.2 msec duration were applied to the front surface of the sample. Temperature variations appeared on the rear surface of the sample due to the presence of defects within the thickness of the panel, which cause heat to diffuse through the panel at varied rates. Comparison with numerically generated test data was provided by an infrared thermal imaging system. While absolute temperatures and surface temperature gradients do not exactly match test data, general trends are apparent and overall correlation with test data is reasonable.

Date Published: 1 March 1990
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 1313, Thermosense XII: An International Conference on Thermal Sensing and Imaging Diagnostic Applications, (1 March 1990); doi: 10.1117/12.21923

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1313:
Thermosense XII: An International Conference on Thermal Sensing and Imaging Diagnostic Applications
Sharon A. Semanovich, Editor(s)