Nondestructive Inspection Techniques for Rotorcraft Composites

A method for detecting defects in a composite component of an aircraft comprising:

• subjecting the composite component to infrared radiation;
• using a hand-held, long-wavelength IR camera to capture a thermal image of the composite component, wherein the camera has an adjustable temperature control, captures an image having a 10 degree working range, a frame capture rate of at least 1 second (minimum) for a length of time of not less than 90 seconds, wherein the image is detected within a predetermined amount of time from a start of a temperature change;
• and
• post-processing the thermal image using a second order derivative algorithm wherein the post-processed thermal image shows more detail of defects than the captured infrared image, and detects the one or more defects in the composite component.