MEASUREMENTS OF THE ELASTIC MODULI OF LAMINATED COMPOSITES USING ULTRASONIC TECHNIQUE

In the present paper, a non-destructive technique (pulse echo) was used to determine the elastic constants of orthotropic composite materials through the measuring of the ultrasonic velocities. Measurements were carried out on woven fabric (weave glass cloth / polyester) composite material. From the measured velocity data, the elastic constants were determined through a numerical inversion. Ultrasonic tests were achieved also on polyester and aluminium specimens as a representative of isotropic material. The results were verified using the numerical solution and the data provided by the manufacturers. It is found that the applicability of the ultrasonic pulse echo technique is in a good agreement for the isotropic material rather than the orthotropic material