Use of Lead Glass Fiber Yarns as Tracers in Radiography of Filament-Wound Products
SourceThe use of reinforced plastics in pressure vessels, rocket motors, and lightweight structures is impeded by the lack of design codes and by inadequate inspection procedures. A technique for the inclusion of lead glass fiber yarns in products intended for radiographic inspection is described for determining the concentration, orientation, and condition of groups of reinforcements in filament-wound products with or without fabric inserts. The inclusion of a few lead silicate fiber tracer yarns in the primary and secondary reinforcements and the radio-graphic inspection of the molded product may permit a reduction of the thickness and cost of the product and an increase in the allowable strength-weight ratio. This would improve the competitive position of reinforced plastics for use in precision parts and in lightweight structures.