pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S04 - Polymer Blends, Alloys, and Composites
Oral Presentation
 
 

In-line Quality Assurance of Metal-Plastic-Hybrid Parts by Air-coupled Ultrasound

Bernhardt Yannick (1)*, Rittmann Johannes (1), Essig Wolfgang (1), Kreutzbruck Marc (1)

(1) Institut für Kunststofftechnik, Univ. Stuttgart - Baden-Württemberg - Germany

Fast production cycles are of great importance in series production in the automotive sector. In order to bring fiber-plastic composites into series in motor vehicle production, it is an option to replace the thermoset matrix with a thermoplastic matrix. Organic sheets are endless fiber-reinforced sheets with a thermoplastic matrix. By heating, they can be easily and quickly pressed into a desired shape. Back injection molding with ribs in injection molding machines is also possible. By bonding such plastic hybrid components with metals, metal-plastic hybrid components are produced which have a high stiffness due to the metal and a high energy absorption capacity due to the plastic. For example, 3D-B-pillars of motor vehicles can be produced cost-effectively in series from such hybrid components. Very important is a good connection between steel and plastic. An integrated test cell was developed at the Institut für Kunststofftechnik which can be inserted into a series production process of B-pillar demonstrator components. Using air-coupled ultrasound, the entire metal-plastic bond can be tested in the cell within three minutes. Guided waves can reach distances in the steel sheet of the B-pillar up to 40 mm. This is the reason why it is possible to test parts in such a short time compared to conventional pulse echo ultrasonic testing.