This practice describes a procedure for detecting subsurface flaws in composite panels and repair patches using Flash Thermography (FT), in which an infrared (IR) camera is used to detect anomalous cooling behaviour of a sample surface after it has been heated with a spatially uniform light pulse from a flash lamp array.

This practice describes established FT test methods that are currently used by industry, and have demonstrated utility in quality assurance of composite structures during postmanufacturing and in-service examinations.