Video of European project ENCOMB is unveiled
Prof. V. Michaud from LTC, Prof J. Botsis from LMAF, and Dr. H.G. Limberger from Optical Fiber Device Group at the School of Engineering, have produced a video on their activities in the EU-FP7-ENCOMB project.
The EU-FP7-ENCOMB project deals with the Extended Non-Destructive Testing of Composite Bonds. The central problem addressed within ENCOMB is the development of advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) methods for a reliable quality assurance concept for adhesive bonding of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) structural aircraft components. The primary objective of ENCOMB is the identification, development, and adaptation of methods suitable for the assessment of adhesive bond quality.
The EPFL team contributes by fabricating Bragg grating optical fiber sensors in 125-micron and 50-micron-diameter optical fibres, their integration into different CRFP samples and bond layers, and their characterisation during curing, and during service at different temperatures and exposure to water and contaminated water. Mechanical models are being developed simulating the behavior of CRFP, adhesive, and sandwich structures under thermal load and water diffusion.