NDT of blades

 01.07.2001 – Reinforced Plastics – di Stefano Beltrando, Miriam Cerutti

An ultrasonic technique for inspecting composite parts has been developed by italian company QI Composites. The technique is already used on boat hulls and masts, and could provide wind turbine blade makers with a cheap, fast way of finding defects. According to QI, the best way to prevent delaminations in composite structures is to check them just after construction and periodically when in use. The method is non-destructive and gives and immediate result. The echo of the emitted ultrasonic wave determines the kind of defect in the structure (void, inclusion, delamination etc)and its dimensions. The portable system can be used on as much of the structure as necessary.