Fusion of visual and infrared thermography images for advanced assessment in non-destructive testing

Abstract

For better evaluation of infrared measurements in non-destructive testing, especially for objects with complex geometry or small dimensions, it is beneficial to combine with the same viewing angle an image of a camera in the visible range with the image of an infrared camera. In the hybrid camera developed by us, a beam splitter is used which combines the visible and the infrared wavelength regions under the same viewing angle to form a hybrid image. The applications of this new technique range from the localization and the verification of false indications in non-destructive testing applications to the retrieval of 3D surface information with a hybrid picture as texture with defect indications and the filtering of laser markings displayed in the IR image to area and process monitoring.