[2C3] Measurement of the elastic modulus distribution of PET bottles by ultrasonic Lamb waves
H Lu and G Menary
Queen’s University Belfast, UK
This paper presents a method for measuring the elastic modulus distribution of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. The method utilises ultrasonic Lamb waves, which are generated and collected from various positions on the surface of the bottle. The collected signals are then processed to calculate the group velocities of the zero-order symmetric Lamb wave mode (S0 mode). An optimisation algorithm is employed to extract the elastic modulus of the material based on the velocity data. To validate the proposed method, a dedicated test-rig was developed and implemented. The measured elastic modulus of the bottles was subsequently compared with their tensile modulus, providing further insights into the accuracy and reliability of the approach. Overall, this paper introduces a novel technique for characterising the elastic modulus distribution in PET bottles. By leveraging ultrasonic Lamb waves and an optimisation algorithm, the method offers a non-destructive and efficient means of assessing the mechanical properties of the material. The experimental results obtained through the developed test-rig demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, highlighting its potential for quality control and evaluation in the manufacturing industry.
