One of today's major challenges in NDT is the inspection of composite materials and adhesive bonds. One method of inspecting such components integrates three inspection methods - Resonance, MIA (Mechanical Impedance Analysis), and Pitch/Catch mode.

The Resonance mode uses a small, contact probe and requires the use of a couplant. A resonance is set up in the probe, which is affected by changes in the structure beneath the surface. Disbonds are detected by changes in phase and amplitude of probe resonance.

MIA measures the surface stiffness and mass under a single contact probe. Changes in phase and amplitude can indicate bond line flaws. It requires no couplant and is used in conjunction with a spring-loaded holder that ensures constant surface pressure.

The Pitch/Catch method does not require couplant and uses two transducers mounted in a single probe. One transmits either a burst of energy or a sweep across a band of frequencies, and the other receives the transmitted sound. Variations in phase and amplitude indicate defects.

The BondMaster 1000+, which incorporates the three inspection techniques, offers the user the ability to select the method best suited to inspect a wide variety of composite materials. It is very light (1.8kg) and well adapted to site use having a six to eight hour battery life. Its display mode can be selected - colour LCD or monochrome LCD for indoor or bright outdoor conditions or a Hi-Brite Electroluminescent (EL) display for normal to dark conditions. PowerLink^TM technology is used to configure the instrument according to the type of test to be carried out. This is done automatically when the sensor is connected. Built-in calibration modes assist the user in optimizing the test parameters. A variety of sensors in each of the test technologies are available.