Propagation of elastic waves in honeycomb panels for application to rapid inspection techniques

This paper considers the properties of elastic waves guided by an aluminum plate bonded to a honeycomb core for application to rapid inspection of honeycomb panels. Current acoustic inspection techniques involve the transmission of a signal between a pair of small transducers located on opposite sides of the panel. Scanning the transducers in raster fashion results in a high resolution inspection of the panel, but is very time consuming. An alternative technique would simultaneously inspect all points along a line between two widely spaced transducers located on the same side of the panel. Scanning the pair once over the panel permits rapid inspection, although with decreased resolution. Studies presented here indicate that such a method of inspection is feasible and that the flexural mode is probably the most useful.