Lock-In Thermal Test Simulation, Influence, and Optimum Cycle Period for Infrared Thermal Testing in Non-Destructive Testing

Lock-in thermal tests (LTTs) are one of the best ways to detect defects in composite materials. The parameter that most affects their performance is the cycle period of the stimulation wave. Its influence on the amplitude-phase results was determined by performing various numeric simulations and laboratory tests. The laboratory tests were used to infer part of the simulation parameters, namely the input and output heat, corresponding to the stimulation and natural convection. The simulations and the analysis of their results focus on the heat flow inside the sample and the manner they change for different geometries. This was performed for poly(methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs). The simulation of these materials was also used to create prediction surfaces and equations. These predict the amplitude and phase for a sample with a thickness l and a cycle period. These new findings were validated with new laboratory tests and two new samples. These validated the prediction surfaces and equations and can now be used as a reference for future works and industrial applications.