Patent ID: 7080561
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A test method for visual documentation of micro-cracks during tensile coupon testing, comprising the steps of: assembling a test unit including a tensile coupon testing machine, a stereomicroscope having a digital camera attached, a microscope light, and a camera strobe light; wet sanding an area of an edge of a carbon-reinforced composite specimen using silicon carbide sanding papers having different grits; polishing said area using wafer soluble h-micron diamond paste and a first hard surfaced metallurgical polishing cloth; cleaning said area; and polishing said area using wafer soluble h-micron diamond paste and a second hard surfaced metallurgical polishing cloth; inserting said carbon-reinforced composite specimen into said tensile coupon testing machine; illuminating said prepared edge of said specimen with said camera strobe light and said microscope light; applying a tensile load to said specimen using said tensile coupon testing machine; and capturing an image of said area of said specimen provided by said stereomicroscope with said digital camera.