Non-Destructive Evaluation of Composite Thermal Damage with Agilent’s New Handheld 4300 FTIR

Carbon or graphite fi ber composites are replacing metal structures and parts in many industries, such as aerospace, general transportation, high performance automotive, and sporting goods. These materials are favored for their reduced weight and greater strength relative to traditional metal parts. For example, the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 are both made of approximately 50% composite materials, including wing and fuselage sections. Military jet fi ghters and naval craft also use this material to improve performance. These critical and complex composite applications require new and sophisticated analysis tools for development, maintenance, and repair purposes.