[1B5] Improvements in laser shearography for marine composite inspection and the new PCN status for marine composite inspection for qualifying technicians
J Tyrer and S Dickinson
Laser Optical Engineering Ltd, UK
The marine industry was a rapid adopter of monolithic and cored composites using glass fibre and carbon fibre constructs. Modern boat and shipbuilding recognised the lightweight corrosion-resistant alternatives to traditional materials. Ensuring the structural integrity of composite structures and in particular foam-cored structures provides significant challenges due to the complex nature and susceptibility to defects. Laser shearography has been significantly enhanced in capability to provide wide-area rapid inspection of components and vessels that may contain some of these defects that are difficult to identify with other NDT technologies.
With this in mind, over the last eight years a group has been authoring a new PCN document specifically in the area of marine composite NDT, for qualifying technicians to undertake this work. This work was motivated by the tragic loss of a British flagged and crewed yacht; the consequential official inspection highlighted the need for recognised and approved techniques with qualified inspectors. Progress towards the final publication is near at hand and the opportunities for vessel owners/inspectors/designers/manufacturers and insurers will also be presented in this paper.
With this in mind, over the last eight years a group has been authoring a new PCN document specifically in the area of marine composite NDT, for qualifying technicians to undertake this work. This work was motivated by the tragic loss of a British flagged and crewed yacht; the consequential official inspection highlighted the need for recognised and approved techniques with qualified inspectors. Progress towards the final publication is near at hand and the opportunities for vessel owners/inspectors/designers/manufacturers and insurers will also be presented in this paper.
