Advanced Composite Inspection & Assurance
CarbonTest provides specialist composite inspection support for carbon-fibre and other advanced composite structures, with a focus on laser shearography, composite-specific ultrasonic assessment, feasibility testing and method development.
We support:
Performance racing yachts & foiling craft
Superyachts & composite masts
Elite sporting equipment
The Composite Sector Problem
Unlike metallic structures:
Damage is often not visible to the naked eye
Damage often initiates internally first
Failure can be sudden and catastrophic, with little to no warning signs
No universally adopted standards exist for typical carbon fibre inspection methods
Most composites testing techniques remains proprietary (think Airbus, Boeing etc), resulting in:
Inconsistent data quality
Repair uncertainty
Elevated insurer risk
Limited industry competency to inspect composites
CarbonTest is solving this through continuous R&D, validation studies, and alignment with aerospace methodologies, giving owners, insurers and designers confidence in these advanced materials.
What is the best type of NDT for composites?
There is no single inspection method that can identify every composite defect. CarbonTest focuses on laser shearography for full-field composite assessment, supported by composite-specific ultrasonic testing where appropriate.
From the table you will see that these two methods when offered in combination give the best coverage of expected defects for carbon materials.
Reference: Scalvini, Professional BoatBuilder Dec/Jan 2021
Our Ambassador Yacht
CarbonTest sponsors a dedicated regatta yacht as a way to actively engage with the sailing community, promote safer composite practices, and demonstrate modern inspection techniques in a real marine environment.
Our participation at events and in regattas helps raise awareness about the importance of testing in high-performance sailing, where visual inspections alone often miss critical issues.
Its role includes:
Community engagement at regattas, club events and marinas
Demonstrating inspection methods Demonstrating composite inspection concepts, including shearography examples, composite-specific ultrasonic indications and lightning-strike assessment principles.
Educating owners & sailors about subsurface defects
Building relationships with race teams, boatyards, insurers and riggers
Promoting awareness of composite damage, inspection planning and laser shearography applications across Australia’s racing and cruising fleets
Vessel Overview
The brief for the yacht was, affordable, fast, fun, lifting keel, a head for the ladies, road legal trailer and of course carbon mast and spars (not hull). We settled on the L30 with more details on the yacht being found here
Gallery
Snapshots of CarbonTest in action
FAQs
What is NDT?
Non-destructive testing uses technology to examine materials without damaging them. For carbon-fibre structures, CarbonTest focuses on laser shearography, supported by composite-specific ultrasonics where appropriate.
Which industries do you serve?
We support composite-focused applications including racing yachts, superyachts, aerospace structures and high-end sporting equipment.
How is Carbontest different?
Our work is focused on composite-specific method development, validation and practical inspection planning. Ongoing R&D helps define where laser shearography and supporting ultrasonic techniques are suitable, where they are limited, and what evidence is needed for defensible composite assessments.
Can you mobilise to my location?
Yes, both laser shearography and ultrasonics are portable test units that can be deployed at your location. Note that we are unable to do laser shearograpy on the water, the assets will need to be on the hard to test using this method.
Who benefits from your service?
Owners, insurers, and manufactures gain confidence in tested composite assets.