Contents1 Introduction and Background of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials 11.1 Introduction and Synopsis 11.2 Basics of CompositesMaterials 41.3 Polymeric Matrices and Polymerization Processes 61.3.1 Thermosets 71.3.2 Thermoplastics 81.4 Reinforcements for Polymer Matrix Composites 91.5 Types of Fiber-Based Reinforcement Architectures 111.5.1 Woven Fabric Architectures 111.5.2 Preimpregnated Thermosets 121.5.3 Non-crimp Fabric Architectures 121.6 Types of Fibers Reinforcements 141.6.1 Glass Fibers 141.6.2 Carbon Fibers 151.6.3 Aramid Fibers 161.6.4 Boron Fibers 181.6.5 Polyethylene Fibers 191.6.6 Ceramic Fibers andWhiskers 191.6.7 Natural Fibers 201.7 Design of Polymer-Matrix Composites 211.8 Polymer-Matrix Composites Manufacturing Procedures 231.9 FiberMetal Laminates 281.10 Sandwich Structures 291.11 Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Composites 301.12 Main Types of Deficiency in Polymer-Matrix Composites 321.13 Trends Towards Novel Technologies 511.14 General Conclusions 53References 542 Introduction to Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Fiber-Reinforced Composites 612.1 Approaching the Nondestructive Testing World 612.2 Classification of Flaws Vis-��-Vis the NDT Techniques 642.3 General Hints on Testing Techniques and Procedures 672.4 Classification of NDT Techniques 692.5 Inspection Requirements for NDT Techniques 722.6 Regulations�� Standards�� and Recommended Practices for NDT 742.7 Role of Research and Development in NDT 772.8 Application of NDT: Impact of Globalization and Operator��s Perspectives 792.9 The Need for Reliability and Accurate Statistic Evaluation 862.10 Probability of Detection in DNT 882.11 Conclusions 90References 913 Visual Testing for Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials 973.1 Introduction 973.2 Important Dates and Development 983.3 Theory and Principles 1013.4 Visual Inspection Requirements 1073.5 Test Equipment and Accessories 1083.6 Applications to the Inspection of Composite Structures 1193.7 Evaluation and Reporting of Visual Test Results 1223.8 Advantages and Limitations of Visual Testing 1243.9 Standards�� Codes�� and Specifications 1273.10 Conclusions 128References 1294 Ultrasonic Testing Techniques for Nondestructive Evaluation of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Structures 1334.1 Introduction 1334.2 Operation and Variants of Ultrasonic NDT 1374.3 Types of Ultrasonic Waves 1434.4 Types of Ultrasonic Transducers 1484.5 Ultrasound Generation and Coupling with the Composite 1494.6 Ultrasonic NDT Instruments for Composites 1544.7 Ultrasonic NDT Methods for Composite Structures 1554.8 Applications of Ultrasonic Inspection of Composite Laminates 1554.9 Ultrasonic Inspection of Sandwich Structures 1684.10 Performance Comparison of Ultrasonic NDT 1744.11 Current Trends and Prospects of Ultrasonic NDT 1754.12 Advantages and Limitations of Ultrasonic NDT 1814.13 Conclusions 183References 1855 Infrared Thermography Testing and Evaluation of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials 1975.1 Introduction and History of IRT 1975.2 Generalities and Basic Concepts of IRT 1995.3 Thermal Properties of Materials 2115.3.1 Thermal Conductivity 2115.3.2 Thermal Diffusivity 2135.3.3 Thermal Effusivity 2135.4 InfraredMeasuring Devices 2145.5 Emissivity and Reflected Temperature Measurement 2165.6 Established IR Thermographic NDT Techniques 2185.7 Scanning IR Thermographic NDT 2335.8 Applications of IRT-NDT for Composite Structures 2385.9 Performance Comparison of IRT and Other NDT Techniques 2465.10 Current Trends and IRT Research Prospects 2525.11 Advantages and Limitations of Using IRT 2575.12 Conclusions 259References 2606 Terahertz Testing Technique for Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials 2736.1 Introduction and Background Information 2736.2 Terahertz Devices and Systems 2756.3 Imaging Theory and Procedures 2836.4 Applications of THz Systems to the Inspection of Fibrous Composites 2846.5 Specific Application of THz Systems for the Evaluation of Composite Structures 2906.6 Outlook on Possible Future Applications of the THz Systems 3036.7 Conclusions 304References 3067 Application of Acoustic Emission for the Inspection of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials 3157.1 Generalities 3157.2 Usage and History of AE 3167.3 Principle of Operation of an AE System 3197.4 AE Sensors Calibration and Coupling with Test Structure 3227.5 Sources of AE in Composite Materials 3247.6 Analysis Tools for AE Measurement Signals 3277.7 Applications in the Testing of Composite Structures 3357.8 Combination with Other NDE Techniques and Prospects 3407.9 Advantages and Limitations of AE Technique 3427.10 Current Tre