ISO 8203-4:2025
(Main)Fibre-reinforced plastic composites — Non-destructive testing — Part 4: Laser shearography
Fibre-reinforced plastic composites — Non-destructive testing — Part 4: Laser shearography
This document specifies the principal method for out-of-plane laser shearography non-destructive testing (NDT) of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. This document is applicable to both monolithic and sandwich FRP laminate constructions, with or without curved surfaces, fibre-reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic matrix composites incorporating uni- or multi-directional reinforcements in either a continuous or discontinuous format; including but not limited to woven fabrics, stitched fabrics, short fibre, or particulate filled, honeycomb or foam cores, as well as combination or hybrid reinforcements. This document is not applicable to variations on this basic configuration.
Composites plastiques renforcés de fibres — Contrôle non destructif — Partie 4: Shearographie laser
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 8203-4
First edition
Fibre-reinforced plastic
2025-09
composites — Non-destructive
testing —
Part 4:
Laser shearography
Composites plastiques renforcés de fibres — Contrôle non
destructif —
Partie 4: Shearographie laser
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Basic method . 5
4.1 Principle of operation .5
4.2 Measurements . .8
4.3 Stress excitation methods .8
5 Equipment . 9
5.1 Shearing camera .9
5.1.1 General .9
5.1.2 Imaging optics .9
5.1.3 Shearing optics .9
5.2 Stress excitation .9
5.3 Camera and FRP component supports .10
5.4 Coherent illumination .10
5.5 Data capture and analysis .11
5.6 Calibration or reference defect artefacts .11
5.7 Equipment qualification .11
6 Specimen preparation . .11
6.1 Cleaning .11
6.2 Visual inspection .11
6.3 Surface coating . 12
6.4 Reference markers . 12
7 Inspection procedure .12
7.1 General . 12
7.2 Camera settings . 12
7.3 Image projection and shear calibration . 13
7.4 Illumination . 13
7.5 Exposure . 13
7.6 Shear selection . .14
7.7 System verification .14
7.8 Stress application .14
7.9 Shearogram acquisition . 15
7.10 Image analysis/processing . 15
7.11 Shearogram interpretation .17
7.12 Resolution/sensitivity .18
8 Image and defect analysis . 19
8.1 Defect sizing .19
8.2 Depth determination .21
8.3 Defect locating .21
9 Test report .22
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
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The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 13, Composites
and reinforcement fibres.
A list of all parts in the ISO 8203 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
Laser shearography can be used to detect and measure a wide range of manufacturing and in-service defects
in fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) materials. The technique has the advantages of being fast, non-contact and
suitable for inspecting large areas, with portable, real-time, and in-situ measurement capabilities. Laser
shearography enables detection of imperfections/discontinuities which are detrimental to the performance
or ultimate strength of the material. This document specifies the principal method for laser shearography
non-destructive testing (NDT) of FRP composites via monitoring of out-of-plane surface displacement
gradients, using coaxial illumination and observation perpendicular to the part surface. Defect detection
relies on local influences on the global surface deformation from sub-surface anomalies under the selected
loading regime.
v
International Standard ISO 8203-4:2025(en)
Fibre-reinforced plastic composites — Non-destructive
testing —
Part 4:
Laser shearography
1 Scope
This document specifies the principal method for out-of-plane laser shearography non-destructive testing
(NDT) of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites.
This document is applicable to both monolithic and sandwich FRP laminate constructions, with or without
curved surfaces, fibre-reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic matrix composites incorporating uni- or
multi-directional reinforcements in either a continuous or discontinuous format; including but not limited
to woven fabrics, stitched fabrics, short fibre, or particulate filled, honeycomb or foam cores, as well as
combination or hybrid reinforcements.
This document is not applicable to variations on this basic configuration.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way tha
...
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