Patent ID: 10488369

Abstract:
Various embodiment methods to reliably and repeatedly replicate delaminations/disbonds and/or porosity defects in specimens/structures may include constructing the specimens/structures such that aerogel sheets and/or aerogel powders are placed or deposited in selected delamination/disbonding and/or porosity locations in the specimen/structure before the specimen/structure is cured. In various embodiments, the specimens/structures may be composites and/or bonded structures and the structures may be flat or curved. The aerogel sheets and/or aerogel powders may mimic delamination/disbonding and/or porosity defects in the cured specimens/structures. The cured specimens/structures including the replicated aerogel sheets and/or aerogel powders may be used for nondestructive inspection or other measurements, such as POD studies.