Non-Destructive Detection of Composite Defects Using Millimeter Continuous Wave by Analyzing Critical Change of Amplitude for S11

Quanjin Zhang; Jiaojie Chen; Yizhang Li; Xiuwei Yang; Zhongmin Wang

doi:10.6911/WSRJ.202602_12(2).0003

Authors

Quanjin Zhang
Jiaojie Chen
Yizhang Li
Xiuwei Yang
Zhongmin Wang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6911/WSRJ.202602_12(2).0003

Keywords:

Millimeter wave, Non-destructive testing, Composite, Deviation analysis

Abstract

Artificially engineered defects were intentionally embedded into planar composite specimens, which were subsequently characterized using a vector network analyzer in conjunction with a custom-built two-dimensional scanning platform. The spatial locations of these pre-implanted defects were determined by analyzing consistence in the reflected S₁₁ scattering parameters, demonstrating that sub-terahertz wave responses are sensitive to structural irregularities within layered media. Furthermore, the critical interfaces were determined by coordinated analysis of amplitude local maxima and the deviation local maxima. The proposed methodology was validated through comparative assessments across multiple aeronautical-grade composite materials, confirming the efficacy of both the experimental hardware configuration and the developed imaging algorithm. This work contributes to the advancement of sub-terahertz inspection techniques and associated non-destructive testing (NDT) methodologies, offering potential improvements in aviation safety through enhanced defect detection capabilities.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Rahman MSU, Abou-Khousa MA, Akbar MF, et al: A review on microwave non-destructive testing (NDT) of composites. Engineering Science and Technology-An International Journal-JESTECH, Vol.58 (2024), 101848.

[2] Vasagar V, Hassan MK, Abdullah AM, et al: Non-destructive techniques for corrosion detection: A review. Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, Vol.59 (2024) p.56-85.

[3] Ding YM, Xie XL, Bi DJ, et al: A near-field 30-40 GHz millimeter-wave phase imaging method for non-destructive testing and evaluation. NDT & E International, Vol.158 (2026), 103529.

[4] Sun HY, Wang HY, Wang ZM, et al: Millimeter-wave quasi-optical non-destructive testing for internal defects in aerospace composites. Optical Engineering, Vol. 64 (2025) No.8, 084101.

[5] Mohammadzadeh S, Bauer M, Kocybik M, et al: Nondestructive Inspection of Glass-Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) Composites with Photonic Terahertz Radar. 49th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (Perth, Australia, 2024).

[6] Yee TS, Akbar M, Shrifan NHMM, et al: Delamination Assessment of Glass-Fiber Reinforced Polymer Using Microwave Technique. IEEE Sensors Journal, Vol. 24 (2024) No.12, p.19050-19060.

[7] Fang Y, Yang XH, Chen HE, et al: Non-destructive quantitative evaluation of delamination depth and thickness in GFRP using microwave reflectometry. NDT & E International, Vol. 144 (2024), 103065.

[8] Fang Y, Chen ZM, Yang, XH, et al: Visualization and Quantitative Evaluation of Delamination Defects in GFRPs via Sparse Millimeter-Wave Imaging and Image Processing. NDT & E International, Vol.141 (2024), 102975.

[9] Navagato MD, Narayanan RM: Image Enhancement Methods for Inspection of Planar and Non-Planar FRP Structures Using a Noise-Based Microwave NDT Inspection System, 2025, 149: 103264.

[10] Fauquet F, Galluzzi F, Chapoulie R, et al: Terahertz Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave Inspection of an Ancient Enamel Plate. Sensors, Vol. 25, (2025) No. 9, 2928.

[11] Stavros Vakalis, Jorge R. Colon-Berrios, Daniel Chen. et al: Non-Destructive Imaging of Defects Using Non-Cooperative 5G Millimeter-Wave Signals. Sensors, Vol. 23 (2023) No. 14, 6421.

[12] Zeng Yuming, Shen SY, Xu ZW, et al: Water Surface Acoustic Wave Detection by a Millimeter Wave Radar. Remote Sensing, Vol.15 (2023) No.16, 4022.

[13] Rajak, DK, Wagh PH, Linul E, et al: Manufacturing Technologies of Carbon/Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites and Their Properties: A Review, Polymers, Vol. 13 (2021) No. 21, 3721.

[14] Park, DW, Oh GH, Kim, HS: Predicting the stacking sequence of E-glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) epoxy composite using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) system. Composites Part B-Engineering, Vol. 177 (2019), 107385.

[15] Karimi A, Rahmatabadi D, Baghani M, et al: Various FDM Mechanisms Used in the Fabrication of Continuous-Fiber Reinforced Composites: A Review. Polymers, Vol. 16 (2024) No. 6, 831.

[16] Jiang R, Xu P, Chen KS, et al: Foam-Scattering Effects on Microwave Emission from Foam-Covered Ocean Surface. IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, Vol. 15 (2018) No. 5, p.649-653.

[17] Alonova MV, Volchkov SS, Zimnyakov DA, et al: Optical Diffusion Diagnostics of Evolving Polymer Foams. Technical Physics, Vol. 69 (2024), No. 6, p.1483-1492.

[18] Yang CG, Xu YK, Liu HY, et al: Multiscale Porous Heat Insulation Polypropylene Foam with High Infrared Absorption Performance. Langmuir, Vol. 41 (2025) No.8, p.5546-5556.

[19] Jing Hu,Yi Liu &Wei Xu: Impact of cellular structure on the thickness and light reflection properties of structural color layers on diverse wood surfaces. Wood Material Science & Engineering, Vol. 20 (2025) No. 3, p.495-505.

[20] Zarrouk T, Nouari M, Salhi, JE, et al: In-Depth Analysis of the Processing of Nomex Honeycomb Composites: Problems, Techniques and Perspectives. Machines, Vol. 12 (2024) No.8: 561.

[21] Ahmad S, Zhang JF, Feng PF, et al: Processing technologies for Nomex honeycomb composites (NHCs): A critical review. Composite Structures, Vol. 250 (2020), 112545.