System and method for real-time degree of cure evaluation in a material

A system for non-destructive testing of composite materials, comprising:

• a plurality of ultrasonic transducers in communication with a processor and a display means;
• wherein each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are operable to emit ultrasonic waves into and receive ultrasonic waves from a specific location on a test object to produce scan data;
• wherein the ultrasonic transducer scans the test object while both the ultrasonic transducer and the test object are within a controlled thermal environment wherein the test object is being manufactured;
• and
• wherein the system is operable to produce a 3D graphical image indicating areas of the test object that are undercured, overcured, or properly cured based on the average A-scan.

A system for non-destructive testing of composite materials, comprising:

• at least one ultrasonic transducer in communication with a processor and a display means;
• wherein the at least one ultrasonic transducer is operable to emit ultrasonic waves into and receive ultrasonic waves from one or more locations on a test object to produce scan data;
• wherein the at least one ultrasonic transducer scans the test object while both the at least one ultrasonic transducer and the test object are within a controlled thermal environment wherein the test object is being manufactured;
• wherein a cure state of the at least one layer of the test object is obtained by comparison to a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) calibration curve;
• and
• wherein the system is operable to produce a 3D graphical image indicating areas of the test object that are undercured, overcured, or properly cured.