Quantitatively analyzing dielectrical properties of resins and mapping permittivity variations in CFRP with high-frequency eddy current device technology

Eddy current testing is well-established for non-destructive characterization of electrical conductive materials. The development of high-frequency eddy current technology (with frequency ranges up to 100 MHz) made it even possible to extend the classical fields of application towards less conductive materials like CFRP. Maxwell’s equations and recent research show that the use of high-frequency eddy current technology is also suitable for non-conductive materials. In that case the change of complex impedance of the probing coil contains information on sample permittivity. This paper shows that even a quantitative measurement of complex permittivity with high-frequency eddy current device technology is possible using an appropriate calibration. Measurement accuracy is comparable to commercial capacitive dielectric analyzers. If the sample material is electrically conductive, both, permittivity and conductivity influence the complex impedance measured with high-frequency eddy current devices. Depending on the measurement setup and the sheet resistance of the sample a parallel characterization of both parameters is possible on isotropic multi-layer materials. On CFRP the permittivity measurement is much more complex due to the capacitive effects between the carbon rovings. However, first results show that at least the local permittivity variations (like those caused by thermal damages) are detectable