Evaluation of porosity in composite aircraft structures

The use of an analytical model for determining the moduli of elasticity of composite laminates made of woven or unidirectional plies with different porosity levels was described. The analysis of aircraft composite parts with different levels of voids (porosity) was based on a method which utilizes the results of state-of-the-art nondestructive testing methods (ultrasonic through transmission, loading, or pulse/echo) as the starting data for the analytical model. The porosity distribution over the volume of the material and correlations for the nondestructive testing methods were determined for epoxy-carbon laminates with standard and stiffened binders and corroborating experiments were conducted. It was shown that the moduli of elasticity of composite laminates decrease with an increase in the porosity levels. The type, thickness, and layup of the laminate are the basic factors that affect the decrease in the elastic properties of porous composite laminates.