What type of inspection is most reliable for detecting internal defects in composites?

The most reliable method for detecting internal defects in composite materials is X-ray inspection. This technique utilizes penetrating radiation that can reveal detailed images of the internal structure of composite parts, allowing inspectors to identify issues such as delaminations, voids, or other material inconsistencies that may not be visible from the surface.

Unlike visual inspections, which can only detect surface flaws and may miss deeper issues, X-ray inspection provides an internal view that can highlight problems hidden from naked eyes. Additionally, while the tap test can help indicate the presence of delaminations or voids through sound response, it does not provide as definitive or comprehensive an assessment of internal conditions as X-ray inspection.

Thermography is useful for detecting defects based on heat patterns and can be effective in identifying certain issues, but it may not capture all types of internal defects as reliably as X-ray can. Thus, X-ray stands out for its capability to assess the integrity of composite structures with high accuracy.