Abstract: Example systems and methods are described including backing paper for use with uncured pre-impregnated material. An example system includes a backing paper having a first surface and a second surface. The system also includes a coating material positioned on the first surface of the backing paper. A blowing agent is encapsulated within the coating material.

Abstract: Example systems and methods are described including backing paper for use with uncured pre-impregnated material. An example system includes a backing paper having a first surface and a second surface. The system also includes a coating material positioned on the first surface of the backing paper. A blowing agent is encapsulated within the coating material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a bond interface is provided. The method comprises directing laser energy at a first surface of a first material connected to a second material by an adhesive at a bond interface. The first surface is opposite the bond interface. A first acoustic impedance of the first material is greater than a second acoustic impedance of the second material. The method also determines whether an inconsistency is present in the bond interface after directing the laser energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a test object. A stress wave is generated in a fluid within a cavity in a structure. The stress wave is directed through the fluid within the cavity into the test object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a bond interface is provided. The method comprises directing laser energy at a first surface of a first material connected to a second material by an adhesive at a bond interface. The first surface is opposite the bond interface. A first acoustic impedance of the first material is greater than a second acoustic impedance of the second material. The method also determines whether an inconsistency is present in the bond interface after directing the laser energy.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a method and apparatus for inspecting a structure. In one advantageous embodiment, an electromagnetic force is generated on a portion of a bond line for a plurality of parts in the structure. The structure contains a conductive material. A determination is made as to whether an inconsistency is present in the portion of the bond line after generating the electromagnetic force on the portion of the bond line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a bond interface is provided. An initial wave is transmitted into a first end of a first material. The first material is connected to a second material by an adhesive at a bond interface. The first material is dissimilar to the second material. The initial wave splits into a first wave and a second wave at the bond interface. Parameters are changed so a first wave travels through the first material to the first end of the first material and back to the bond interface in a first amount of time and the second wave travels through the second material to a second end of the second material and back to the bond interface in a second amount of time. The first amount of time is substantially equal to the second amount of time. A tension is obtained in the adhesive at the bond interface.

Abstract: A method for repeatably fabricating a test specimen assembly comprising a pair of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) test specimens adhesively bonded together, the bonded joint having respective areas of substantially different, but consistent variable adhesive bond strengths suitable as a calibration standard. The method comprises fabricating a first FRP test specimen having a bonding surface with first and second areas that have substantially different bonded joint performance-governing characteristics and then using adhesive to bond the bonding surface of the first FRP test specimen to the bonding surface of a second FRP test specimen. The different bonded joint performance-governing characteristics are achieved by treating first and second areas of the surface of the first FRP test specimen using different respective surface preparation techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying features for an object. Response signals are received in response to sending signals into an object at locations using a measurement system. A first matrix is formed. Each entry in the first matrix contains an amplitude of a response signal for a location and time at which the response signal was received with respect to when a corresponding signal was sent into the object. The first matrix is decomposed into a second matrix and third matrix such that a product of the second and third matrices represents the first matrix. A number of columns in the second matrix corresponds to a number of features for the object. A number of rows in the third matrix corresponds to a number of sets of weighting factors for the number of features. Information is identified about the features in the object using the second and third matrices.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a method and apparatus for inspecting a structure. In one advantageous embodiment, an electromagnetic force is generated on a portion of a bond line for a plurality of parts in the structure. The structure contains a conductive material. A determination is made as to whether an inconsistency is present in the portion of the bond line after generating the electromagnetic force on the portion of the bond line.

Abstract: A system is provided for radiographic inspection of an object comprising multiple having different material properties. The system comprises a radiation source configured to generate radiation, a display unit for generating a graphical user interface (GUI) including multiple fields. A user enters input data via the fields in the GUI. The input data relates to one or more material properties for each of the regions. A processor is configured to compute a plurality of exposure parameters based on the input data.

Abstract: A system is provided for radiographic inspection of an object comprising multiple having different material properties. The system comprises a radiation source configured to generate radiation, a display unit for generating a graphical user interface (GUI) including multiple fields. A user enters input data via the fields in the GUI. The input data relates to one or more material properties for each of the regions. A processor is configured to compute a plurality of exposure parameters based on the input data.