Comparison between pulsed and modulated thermography in glass-epoxy laminates

Infrared (IR) thermography is a two-dimensional, non-contact technique which can be usefully employed in non-destructive evaluation of materials. Basically, two different approaches are possible: traditional pulse thermography (PT) and modulated (or lock-in) thermography (MT). The attention of the present work is focused on the peculiar aspects, which characterise the two different techniques. Tests are carried out by considering glass-epoxy specimens and the results obtained, by employing either PT or MT, are compared. The capability of each technique, to detect a defect and give precise information about size, depth and thermal resistance of the defect, is analysed. The advantages and disadvantages of using these techniques are discussed in order to assess the fundamental requirements for the most appropriate choice in quality control processes. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.