Non-destructive testing of aerospace composite materials using digital shearography

Digital shearography, a laser interferometry technique in conjunction with the digital imaging processing, has the potential for identifying defects both in small- and large-scale structures. This paper will focus on the recent development of digital shearography for non-destructive testing (NDT). With the improvement of the measuring methods and the development of a small and mobile measuring device in conjunction with a user-guided program, Shearwin, this laser inspection technique can be used easily in the environment of fieldwork. A few examples show its application in the aerospace industry for NDT of composites, e.g. GLARE panel, honeycomb structure and glass (or carbon)-fibre-reinforced plastics, etc.