Software tools for robust extraction, analysis and visualization of porosities in XCT scans of fiber-reinforced polymers

Advanced composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) play an increasingly important role in aeronautics with regard to efficiency and economy but also with regard to function integration and flexibility. In order to non-destructively characterize CFRP materials and components, 3D X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is increasingly used as a reference and escalation method. In this work we are targeting XCT data evaluation for one of the main challenges regarding quality control of CRFPs, which is robust extraction and analysis of pores in 3D as well as the specimen’s volume porosity. Pores of CFRPs largely influence the mechanical properties of a specimen such as shear strength. Furthermore, their individual characteristics such as shape, position, volume or size, largely determine whether a component meets the required specifications and is therefore able to fly or whether it needs to be rejected or reworked. For this purpose we apply and demonstrate a part of the technology platform developed within the EU-FP7 QUICOM project (www.quicom.eu) dedicated to porosity analysis. The presented tools encompass robust pore extraction, characterization of pores, pore classification, and advanced pore and porosity visualization methods. The presented techniques are demonstrated and applied on CFRP specimens of the QUICOM consortium. The tools and the generated results are tested and verified by an end user. Our findings show that using the QUICOM technology platform for robust porosity analysis facilitates an in-depth-view into the material system which may be integrated into a feedback cycle, in order to control and fine tune the development of novel, tailored CFRP components.