Using X-Ray tomography to evaluate porosities in composite parts

In aeronautics and automotive applications, manufacturing composite by consolidation is mainly used in order to answer current weight reduction and optimization cost problematics. During the process, voids appear in the composite parts. An adequate process cycle must be selected to reach minimum porosity content within the laminate. These voids have influence on mechanical properties of composite parts. That's why, it is important to study these voids. Objectives of this study is to develop a new way to study porosity in composite parts. This method permits not only to measure the voids ratio but also the voids size, location and morphology. The non-destructive technic consists of using X-ray beam to analyse the sample structure. Voids size allows to categorize the porosities present in the specimen. This method was applied on carbon composite C/PPS manufactured with several consolidation cycles in terms of consolidation pressure, processing temperature, consolidation time and vacuum levels.