X-ray and terahertz imaging as non-destructive techniques for defects detection in nanocomposites foam-core sandwich panels containing carbon nanotubes

In this article, we have studied the effects of carbon nanotubes on the state-of-the art non-destructive (NDT) techniques (X-ray radiography and terahertz imaging methods) for the inspection of defects in the polymeric foam-core sandwich panels. The aforementioned non-destructive techniques have been applied to visualize different types of defects such as holes, notches, inclusion (Teflon) that have been embedded in the polymeric foam core of sandwich panels. The results revealed that the X-ray radiography is an efficient method for internal defect detection in polymeric foam core sandwich panels. Moreover, terahertz imaging has shown that the detection of hidden defects was slightly worse for nanocomposite specimen, but this difference was not significant enough for potential application of pulsed terahertz imaging to nanocomposite structure.