Defects

Reinforcement
Structural Arrangement
Manufacturing Method
Description

Adhesive bond failure Failure of bonded joints either by

Cohesion (fracture of the adhesive or
Adhesion (failure of the interface).
Air bubble

Blister

Core crushing

Core shear failure

Air entrapment within and between the

plies of reinforcement, usually spherical
in shape.
Rounded elevation of the surface of a
laminate, with boundaries that may be
more or less sharply defined,
somewhat resembling in shape a blister
on the human skin.
The distortion or collapse of core
material due to pressure or local
compression.
Separation of core that extends
between face skins.

E-Glass
Solid, Foam or Balsa Core
Hand Layup, Infusion
Allowable
Detectable

Carbon Fiber
Sandwich incl. Honeycomb
Infusion, Prepreg
Allowable
Debond area less than 15% of total bond
area. Axial length of debond less than 10%
of total axial bond length.

Detectable

Debond area less than 30% of total

bond area. Axial length of debond less
than 20% of total axial bond length.2

Discontinuities 12 mm (1/2 in.) or

larger.5

Maximum diameter, 3.0 mm (1/8 in.);

4/in2.3

Any porosity area of 64 mm2 (0.1 in.2) Maximum diameter, 1.5 mm (1/16 in.);
2/in2.3

Maximum diameter, 6.5 mm (1/4 in.);

height from surface not to be outside
drawing tolerance.3

Minimum diameter, 1.5 mm (1/16 in.) Maximum diameter, 3.0 mm (1/8 in.); height Minimum diameter, 1.5 mm (1/16
from surface not to be outside drawing
in.)
tolerance

Maximum allowable core deformation

less than 10% of core thickness

Minimum diameter 9 mm (3/8 in.)

None

Discontinuities 6 mm (1/4 in.) or

larger.

Any porosity area of 32 mm2 (0.05

in.2)

Minimum diameter 6 mm (1/4 in.)

Maximum allowable shear cracking less 127 mm disbond 32 mm beneath a 10 None

than 5% of core thickness
to 12 ply (3 mm) skin.5

Crazing

Pattern of fine cracks on or beneath the Maximum crack length less than 25 mm Minimum length, 1.5 mm (1/16 in.)
surface.
(1 in.).2 or max. 50 mm ( 2 in.) long by
0.4 mm (1/64 in.) deep, max density 5
in any 0.1 m2 (sq. ft.).4

Delaminations

Separation of laminate plies.

Maximum diameter, 14 mm (9/16 in.)3

Any delamination with a length of 6.5 Maximum dimension, 6.5 mm (1/4 in.)3
mm (1/4 in) or area of 32 mm2 (0.05
in.2)6

Any delamination with a length of

6.5 mm (1/4 in) or area of 32 mm2
(0.05 in.2)6

Fiber failure

Tensile or compressive failure of

individual fibers with dominant strain
parallel to the fiber direction.
A void between laminated or bonded
skins where surfaces may be touching.

Less than 1% by volume not to exceed

10 mm (0.4 in.)2

none visible

None

none visible

Debond area less than 30% of total

bond area. Axial length of debond less
than 20% of total axial bond length.2

127 mm beneath a 10 to 12 ply (3

mm) skin.5

Debond area less than 15% of total bond

area. Axial length of debond less than 10%
of total axial bond length.

Any kissing bond with a length of

6.5 mm (1/4 in) or area of 32 mm2
(0.05 in.2)6

Local impact damage

Separation of material through entire

thickness and visible on the surface.

Circular or ellipsoidal bright solid

areas with diameter less than 10 mm
(0.4 in.).2

Minimum diameter 9 mm (3/8 in.)

Circular or ellipsoidal bright solid areas with Minimum diameter 6 mm (1/4 in.)
diameter less than 5 mm (0.2 in.).

Matrix cracking

Resin cracking between plies or at the

fiber interface caused by excessive
shear force, low elongation resins, or
exotherm during cure.

Maximum length, 6.5 mm (1/4 in.)3

Minimum length, 1.5 mm (1/16 in.)

Maximum length, 3.0 mm (1/8 in.)3

Minimum length, 1.5 mm (1/16 in.)

Moisture ingress

Areas where water has migrated into

the laminate or core.
Areas where reinforcement plies are
wrinkled, often caused by vacuum bag
consolidation.

10% by volume maximum allowable

2% - 3%
core moisture content.
There are to be no wrinkles in the
3%
reinforcement and no voids greater
than 12 mm (1/2 in.)1; maximum length
surface side, 25 mm (1 in.); maximum
length opposite side, 25 mm (1 in.);
depth less than 15% laminate
thickness3

None

1% - 3%

Maximum length surface side, 6.5 mm (1/4

in.); maximum length opposite side, 13 mm
(1/2 in.); depth less than 10% laminate
thickness.3

1%

Diameter less than 0.4 mm (1/64 in.), and

depth less than ply thickness or 10% of
laminate thickness, and no damaged fibers.2

Pits greater than 3 mm (1/8 in.) in

diameter and under 0.75 mm (1/32
in.) deep

Kissing bond

Ply waviness

Maximum crack length less than 12 mm (0.5 Minimum length, 1.5 mm (1/16 in.)
in.).2 or max. 25 mm ( 1 in.) long by 0.4 mm
(1/64 in.) deep, max density 3 in any 0.1 m2
(sq. ft.).

Pit (or pinhole)

Small crater in the inner surface of the Maximum diameter, 0.8 mm (1/32 in);
laminate, with width (max. diameter)
depth less than 20% of wall thickness,
similar to or smaller than depth.
frequency & location TBD.3

Pits greater than 3 mm (1/8 in.) in

diameter and under 0.75 mm (1/32
in.) deep

Porosity

Presence of numerous visible tiny pits

(pinholes) approximate dimension
0.005 inches (for example, 5 in any sq.
inch).

Any porosity area of 65 mm2 (0.1 in.2) Porosity features less than 0.8mm (1/32 in.)
diameter. Maximum of ten pits per 64.5 cm2
(10 in2) of area and no more than one such
area per 0.3 m (lineal foot)7

Resin rich area

Portion of a laminate with resin pockets Maximum diameter, 14 mm (9/16 in.)3

or poor consolidation that results in low
fiber volume.
Area of laminate that was not
Maximum diameter, 14 mm (9/16 in.)3
thoroughly wetted with resin.
Delamination at the skin-to-core
Maximum diameter, 14 mm (9/16 in.).
bondline.

Minimum diameter 9 mm (3/8 in.)

Maximum diameter, 9.5 mm (3/8 in.)3

Minimum diameter 6 mm (1/4 in.)

Minimum diameter 9 mm (3/8 in.)

Maximum diameter, 9.5 mm (3/8 in.)3

Minimum diameter 6 mm (1/4 in.)

50 mm under a 10 to 12 ply (3 mm)

skin; 127 mm under 20 to 24 ply (6
mm) skin.5

Maximum dimension, 6.5 mm (1/4 in.).

A skin-to-core disbond with a length

of 25 mm (1 in) or area of 500 mm2
(0.785 in.2)6

Fine cracks at the surface of the

laminate.
Heat damage that diminishes matrix
properties and is maximum at the
surface of a laminate.

Maximum length, 6.5 mm (1/4 in.)3

Minimum length, 1.5 mm (1/16 in.)

Maximum length, 3.0 mm (1/8 in.)3

Minimum diameter 6 mm (1/4 in.)

Never in more than one ply and not to

exceed 0.01 m2 (16 sq. in.) in any
panel.4

Minimum diameter 6 mm (1/4 in.)

No distortion and/or burn deeper than

surface resin layer.2

Minimum diameter 6 mm (1/4 in.)

Resin starved area

Skin-to-core disbond

Surface cracking
Thermal damage
(including lightning)
Voids

Porosity features less than 0.8mm

(1/32 in.) diameter. Maximum of ten
pits per 64.5 cm2 (10 in2) of area and
no more than one such area per 0.3 m
(lineal foot)7

Any porosity area of 32 mm2 (0.05

in.2)

An air pocket within a laminate

i) There are to be no voids extending
Any void with a length of 12 mm (1/2 i) There are to be no voids extending through Any void with a length of 6.5 mm
characterized by its thickness and area. through more than one ply of laminate. in) or area of 65 mm2 (0.1 in.2)6
more than one ply of laminate.
(1/4 in) or area of 32 mm2 (0.05
ii) There are to be no voids larger than
ii) There are to be no voids larger than 6 mm in.2)6
12 mm (0.50 in.) in their greatest
(0.25 in.) in their greatest dimension.
dimension.
iii) There are to be no voids larger than 1.5
iii) There are to be no voids larger than
mm (0.0625 in.) on each ply in any 150 mm
3 mm (0.125 in.) on each ply in any
150 mm (6 in. 6 in.) area, with a
150 mm 150 mm (6 in. 6 in.) area,
maximum of three (3) total voids in this
with a maximum of six (6) total voids in
area.
this area.
iv) There are to be no more than two (2)
iv) There are to be no more than three
voids larger than 1.5 mm (0.0625 in.) on
(3) voids larger than 3 mm (0.125 in.)
each ply in any 300 mm 300 mm (12 in.
on each ply in any 300 mm 300 mm
12 in.) area, with a maximum of ten (10)
(12 in. 12 in.) area, with a maximum
total voids in this area. The void content is
of twenty (20) total voids in this area.
not to exceed 2%. Where the void content is
The void content is not to exceed 4%.
in excess of 1%, additional testing may be
Where the void content is in excess of
required.
2%, additional testing may be required.1

ISO 14692 Defect types, acceptance criteria and recomm

Defect type

Description

Blistering

Blisters forming under outer plies

of laminate or inner resin rich
layer

Burn/Discoloration

Thermal decomposition evidenced

by distortion or discoloration of
the laminate surface

Chalking and loose

fibres

Minor breakdown of outer surface

due to UV radiation or acid rain,
caused by storage over prolonged
period

Chemical attack
Chemical spill

Absence of resin surface

Minor breakdown of surface resin

Chip

Small piece broken from edge or

surface. If reinforcing fibres are
broken, the damage is considered
to be a crack

Crack

Actual separation of the laminate,

visible on opposite surfaces,
extending through the wall. A
continuous crack may be
evidenced by a white area.

Crazing

Fine hairline cracks at or under

surface of the laminate
White areas are not visible as for
cracks
Broken or cut outer rovings due
to scraping, scuffing or
manufacturing process

Cut roving

Deformation
Delamination
(internal)

Long-term change in dimensions,

i.e. creep
"Bright solid area in laminate
due to lack of bond between resin
and fibres. Separation of layers
(plies) within laminate

Delamination
(internal)

"Bright solid area in laminate

due to lack of bond between resin
and fibres. Separation of layers
(plies) within laminate

Dimensional changes

Changes in dimensions resulting

from loads, deflections imposed
on the system

Dry spot

Area of incomplete surface film

where the reinforcement has not
been wetted by resin, leaving
bare, exposed fibres

Flange cracks

Cracking of flange caused by

incorrect manufacture or
overstressed bolted joints

Fracture

Rupture of laminate with complete

penetration. Majority of fibres
broken. Visible as lighter coloured
area of interlaminar separation

Impact damage

Light area with or without broken

fibres

Inadequate bond (e.g.

"kissing")

Touching faces, no adhesive

Inadequate cure of
lamination resin or
adhesive

Outside temperature and humidity

specification
Incorrect bonding/cure procedure

Inclusion

Foreign matter wound into

laminate
Laminated joint incorrectly layed
up with missing plies

Incorrect lamination

Incorrect spool
dimensions

Incorrect dimensions, misaligned

components

Lack of adhesive

Unbonded area of joint face

Lack of fibres
Material degradation

Resin/fibre ratio too high

Breakdown of resin, brittleness,
softness/swelling due to ageing,
chemical exposure, moisture
ingress, etc.

Misaligned joints

Movement during curing and air

sucked in, resulting in voids
Joint not shaved correctly
Inadequate bond area
Incorrect dimensions
Small crater in the inner surface
of the laminate, with width (max.
diameter) similar to or smaller
than depth

Pit (pinhole)

Restriction

Excessive resin, adhesive, foreign

matter on the internal wall of
pipe/fitting causing restriction

(excess adhesive)

Uneven wall thickness

after grinding of
adhesive joint surface
Wear scratch

Shallow mark caused by improper

handling, storage and/or
transportation. If reinforcement
fibres are broken then damage is
considered a crack

Weeping
Weld sparks

Liquid penetration through pipe

wall or joint
Minor breakdown of outer surface
due to effects of close-proximity
welding

ISO STANDARD 14692-4 Petroleum and natural gas industries Glass-reinforced plastics (GRP) piping
Part 4: Fabrication, installation and maintenance
Annex A (normative) Defect types Acceptance criteria and corrective actions
Second edition 2010-04-06

14692 Defect types, acceptance criteria and recommended corrective action

Criteria

None permitted

Corrective
action
Manufacture
Reject

Corrective
action
Delivery
Reject

Corrective
action
Installation
Reject / Major
repair

Distortion and/or burn deeper than

surface resin layer

Reject (major
defect)

N/A

Reject / Major
repair

Minor discoloration, and/or limited to

surface resin layer, no extent limit

Repair (minor
repair)

N/A

Minor repair

Depth limited to surface resin layer,

surface area unlimited, no loose
fibres
Depth limited to surface resin layer,
surface area unlimited, loose surface
fibres
None permitted
Subject to immediate action

Repair (minor
repair)

Accept

Accept

Reject

Reject

Minor repair

Reject
Clean, accept

Reject
Clean, accept

Reject
Clean accept

If undamaged fibres are exposed

over any area; or no fibres are
exposed but an area greater than
10 mm x 10 mm lacks resin

Minor repair

Minor repair

Minor repair

If no fibres are exposed and the area

lacking resin is less than 10 mm x
10 mm
Max. depth equal to or less than
resin layer
Max. depth greater than resin layer

Accept

Accept

Accept

Minor repair

Minor repair

Minor repair

Reject

Reject

Reject / Major
repair

Max. crack length less than 25 mm

Accept

N/A

Accept

Max. crack length greater than

25 mm
Maximum 3 areas of cut rovings per
pipe with each area less than 25 mm
x 25 mm. Maximum depth such that
wall thickness is not reduced below
minimum
Leakage not acceptable

Minor repair

N/A

Minor repair

Accept

Accept

Accept

N/A

N/A

N/A

None permitted

Reject

Reject

Reject

None permitted

Reject

Reject

Reject

None permitted

N/A

N/A

N/A

None permitted

Reject

N/A

Reject/major
repair

None permitted

Reject

Reject

Reject / major
repair

None permitted

Reject

Reject

Major repair

Circular or ellipsoidal bright solid

areas (diameter greater than 10 mm
), none permitted
No leak at design pressure or at
normal operating pressure
Ring areas, diameter less than
10 mm
No leak at design
pressure or at

Reject

Reject

Major repair

Major repair

Major repair

Major repair

N/A

N/A

Major repair

Reject

N/A

Reject

In accordance with 8.3.2 of

ISO 14692-2:2002

N/A

N/A

Remake joint
(major repair)
Post-cure joint
(minor repair)

None permitted

Reject

N/A

Reject

None permitted

Reject

N/A

Reject

normal operating pressure

Leak at design pressure or at normal
operating pressure
Debond area greater than 30 % of
total bond area
Axial length of debond greater than
20 % of total axial bond length

If misalignment can be compensated

elsewhere in the system

N/A

N/A

Accept

If misalignment results in overstress

caused by joints being pulled up

N/A

N/A

Reject

Debond area greater than 30 % of

total bond area
Axial length of the debond area
greater than 20 % of total axial bond
length
None permitted
Leakage not acceptable

Reject

N/A

Reject

Reject
N/A

N/A
N/A

Reject
N/A

None permitted

N/A

N/A

Reject or major
repair

Diameter greater than 0,8 mm,

and/or depth greater than liner
thickness or 10 % of wall thickness,
and/or damaged fibres

Reject

Reject

Reject

Diameter less than 0,8 mm, and

depth less than liner thickness or
10 % of wall thickness, and no
damaged fibres
Flow obstruction of 5 % of inner
diameter or 10 mm height,
whichever is smaller

Accept

Accept

Accept

Remove by
careful grinding

Remove by
careful
grinding

If access:
Remove by
careful grinding

Allowable eccentricity:
0,002 x ID > 0,3 mm

Major repair

N/A

If no access:
Reject/major
repair
Major repair

Undamaged fibres are exposed over

any area, or no fibres are exposed
but an area equal to or greater than
10 mm x 10 mm lacks resin

Minor repair

Minor repair

Minor repair

No fibres are exposed and area

lacking resin is less than 10 mm x 10
mm lacks resin

Minor repair

Minor repair

Minor repair

None permitted

Reject

N/A

Reject

Same as for "Wear scratch"

Minor repair

Minor repair

Minor repair

gas industries Glass-reinforced plastics (GRP) piping

e criteria and corrective actions

Corrective action
Operation
Acceptable if no leakage

Reject / Major repair

Minor repair
Accept.
Minor repair

Reject / Major repair

Clean accept
Minor repair

Accept

Accept
Major repair

Accept
Minor repair
Accept

Accept, but monitoring

required
Accept, but monitoring
required

Accept, but monitoring

required

Accept if no leakage, but

monitoring required.
Major repair

Detected during operation:

Grind crack to max. depth of
less than 30 % of flange step,
and perform minor repair
Crack deeper than 30 %, or
detected during manufacture
or pre-fab. or installation: No
cracks permitted. Reject /
Major repair
Major repair

Accept / Minor repair if service

is sea or potable water, but
monitoring required.

Accept / Minor repair

Major repair if service other
than sea or potable water
Major repair
Major repair

N/A

N/A
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A
Accept if no leakage, but
monitoring required.

N/A

Reject

Accept

If access: Remove by careful

grinding

If no access: Reject/major
repair
N/A

Minor repair

Accept

Major repair
Accept

Classification of Discontinuities for Translucent Visual Examina

Severity o
Defect
Air bubble (void)

Blister

Burned

Chip
Crack

Crack, surface
Crazing

Delamination,
edge
Delamination,
internal
Dry-spot

Fish-eye

Foreign inclusion
(metallic)
Foreign inclusion
(non-metallic)
Fracture
Orange-peel

Definition

Level I

air entrapment within and between the

plies of reinforcement, usually spherical in
shape
rounded elevation of the surface of a
laminate, with boundaries that may be
more or less sharply defined, somewhat
resembling in shape a blister on the
human skin
showing evidence of thermal
decomposition through some discoloration,
distortion, no destruction of the surface of
the laminate
a small piece broken of an edge or surface

none

an actual separation of the laminate,

visible on opposite surfaces, and extending
through the thickness
crack existing only on the surface of a
laminate
fine cracks at or under the surface of a
laminate

none

separation of the layers of material at the

edge of a laminate
separation of the layers of a material in a
laminate
area of incomplete surface film where the
reinforcement has not been wetted with
resin
small globular mass which has not blended
completely into the surrounding material
and is particularly evident in a transparent
of translucent material
metallic particles included in a laminate
which are foreign to its composition

none

nonmetallic particles of substance included

in a laminate which seems foreign to its
composition
rupture of laminate surface without
complete penetration
uneven surface somewhat resembling an
orange peel

none

none

none

none

none
none

none
none

none

none

none
none

Pimple
Pit (pinhole)

Resin-rich edge
Scratch

Short
Shrink-mark
(sink)
Wash

Wormhole

Wrinkle

small, sharp, or conical elevation on the

surface of a laminate
small crater in the surface of the laminate,
with its width approximately of the same
order of magnitude as its depth

none

insufficient reinforcing material at the edge

of a molded laminate
shallow mark, groove, furrow, or channel
caused by improper handling or storage

none

in a laminate, an incompletely filled out

condition
depression in the surface of a molded
laminate where it has retracted from the
mold
area where the reinforcement of molded
plastic has moved inadvertently during
closure of the mold resulting in resin-rich
areas
elongated air entrapment which is either in
or near the surface of a laminate and may
be covered by a thin film of cured resin

none

in a laminate, an imperfection that has the

appearance of a wave molded into one or
more plies of fabric or other reinforcement
material

none

none

none

none

none

none

ASME SD-2563 Standard Practice for Classifying Visual Defects in Glass-Reinforced Plastic

tinuities for Translucent Visual Examination

Severity of Defect
Level II

Level III

maximum diameter, 1.5 mm (1/16 maximum diameter, 3.0 mm (1/8

in.); 2/in2
in.); 4/in2
maximum diameter, 3.0 mm (1/8
in.); height from surface not to be
outside drawing tolerance

none

maximum diameter, 6.5 mm (1/4

in.); height from surface not to be
outside drawing tolerance

none

maximum dimension of break, 3.0 maximum dimension of break, 6.5

mm (1/8 in.)
mm (1/4 in.)
none
none

maximum length, 3.0 mm (1/8 in.) maximum length, 6.5 mm (1/4 in.)
maximum dimension of crazing, 13
mm (1/2 in.); frequency & location
TBD
maximum dimension, 3.0 mm (1/8
in.)
none

maximum dimension of crazing, 25

mm (1 in.); frequency & location TBD

maximum diameter, 9.5 mm (3/8

in.)

maximum diameter, 14 mm (9/16 in.)

maximum diameter, 9.5 mm (3/8

in.)

maximum diameter, 13 mm (1/2 in.)

none, if for electrical use:

maximum dimension, 0.8 mm
(1/32 in.), 1/0.09 m2 (1 ft2), if for
mechanical use
maximum dimension, 0.8 mm
(1/32 in.) 1/0.09 m2 (1 ft2)

none, if for electrical use: maximum

dimension, 1.5 mm (1/16 in.), 1/0.09
m2 (1 ft2), if for mechanical use

maximum dimension, 21 mm
(13/16 in.)
maximum diameter, 14 mm (9/16
in.)

maximum dimension, 29 mm (1 1/8

in.)
maximum diameter, 29 mm (1 1/8
in.)

maximum dimension, 6.5 mm (1/4

in.)
none

maximum dimension, 1.5 mm (1/16

in.) 1/0.09 m2 (1 ft2)

none

maximum diameter, 3 mm (1/8 in.)

maximum diameter, 0.4 mm (1/64

in); depth less than 10% of wall
thickness, frequency & location
TBD
maximum, 0.4 mm (1/64 in.) from
the edge
maximum length, 25 mm (1.0 in.);
maximum depth, 0.255 mm (0.010
in.)
none

maximum diameter, 0.8 mm (1/32

in); depth less than 20% of wall
thickness, frequency & location TBD

maximum diameter, 9.5 mm (3/8

in); depth less than 25% of wall
thickness
maximum dimension 21 mm
(13/16 in.)

maximum diameter, 14 mm (9/16

in); depth less than 25% of wall
thickness
maximum dimension 29 mm (1 1/8
in.)

maximum diameter, 3.0 mm (1/8

in.)

maximum diameter, 6.5 mm (1/4 in.)

maximum length surface side, 13

mm (1/2 in.); maximum length
opposite side, 13 mm (1/2 in.);
depth less than10% wall thickness

maximum length surface side, 25 mm

(1 in.); maximum length opposite
side, 25 mm (1 in.); depth less
than15% wall thickness

in Glass-Reinforced Plastic

maximum, 0.8 mm (1/32 in.) from

the edge
maximum length, 25 mm (1.0 in.);
maximum depth, 0.255 mm (0.010
in.)
none

Reinforced Thermoset Plastic Visual Inspection Acceptance Criteria

Imperfection Name

Definition of Imperfection

Burned areas

Showing evidence of thermal

decomposition through
discoloration or heavy distortion

Chips (surface)

Small pieces broken off an edge

or surface

Cracks

Actual ruptures or debond of

portions of the structure

Crazing (surface)

Fine cracks at the surface of the

laminate

Delamination
(internal)

Separation of the layers in a

laminate

Dry spot (surface)

Area of surface where the

reinforcement has not been
wetted with resin
Exposure of multiple layers of the
reinforcing matrix to the vessel
contents, usually as a result of
shaping or cutting a section to be
secondary bonded (interior of the
vessel only)

Edge exposure

Interior Layer
Level 1
Level 2
None

None

---

---

None

None

---

---

None

None

---

---

Structural Layer
Level 1
Level 2
None

1/4 in dia or 1/2 in

length max. by 1/16
in. deep
None

Max. 1 in. long by

1/64 in. deep, max
density 3 in any sq.
ft.
None

---

Never in more than

one ply and not to
exceed 16 sq. in. in
any vessel
1/2 in dia or I in.
length max. by 1/16
in. deep
None

Max. 2 in. long by

1/64 in. deep, max
density 5 in any sq.
ft.
None in three plies
adjacent to the
interior layer, none
larger than 1 sq. in.
total area

None

None

None

None

---

Notes
Discoloration only,
never delamination
or decomposition

--Not to include areas

to be covered by
joints
---

---

--Edges exposed to
contents must be
covered with same
number of veils as
inner surface

Foreign inclusion

Particles included in a laminate

which are foreign to its
composition (not a minute speck
of dust)

1/2 in. long max. by

dia. or thickness not
more than 30% of
interior layer
thickness

1/2 in. long max. by Dime size, never to

dia. or thickness not penetrate lamination
more than 50% of
to lamination
interior layer
thickness

Nickel size, never to Must be fully resin

penetrate
wetted and
lamination to
encapsulated
lamination

Gaseous bubbles or
blisters

Air entrapment within, on, or

between plies of reinforcement,
0.015 inch diameter and larger
Small, sharp, conical elevations
on the surface of a laminate

Max. dia. 1/8 in.

Max. dia. 1/8 in.

Max. dia. 3/16 in.

Max. dia. 1/4 in.

No limit

No limit

Pimples (surface)

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Small crater in the surface of a

laminate
Presence of numerous visible tiny
pits (pinholes) approximate
dimension 0.005 inches (for
example, 5 in any sq. inch)
Shallow marks, grooves, furrows,
or channels caused by improper
handling
Rounded elevations of the
surface, somewhat resembling a
blister on the human skin; not
reinforced

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Wet-out inadequate

Resin has failed to wet-out

reinforcing (particularly woven
roving)

None

None

Wrinkles and creases

Generally linear, abrupt changes

in surface plane caused by laps of
reinforced layers, irregular mold
shape, or mylar overlap.

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3%

10%

Pit (surface)
Porosity (surface)

Scratches (surface)

Wet blisters (surface)

Allowable Cumulative
Sum of Highlighted
Imperfections
Maximum % of
Repairs

Maximum allowable in any square

foot
The maximum allowable area of
repairs made in order to pass
visual inspection

Two levels related to corrosion resistance requirements are covered, namely:

Level 1 Critically Corrosion Resistant
Level 2 Standard Corrosion Resistant
ASME/ANSI RTP-1-1989: Reinforced thermoplastic corrosion resistant equipment

1/4 in. dia. X 1/16 in. 1/4 in. dia. X 3/32

deep max.
in. deep max.
None to fully penetrate the exterior
gelcoat or gelcoated exterior veil, No
quantity limit

Must not be
breakable with a
sharp point
Must be fully resin
filled and wetted;
generally captured
sanding dust
No fibers may be
exposed
No fibers may be
exposed

None over 0.010 in.

deep or more than 6
in. long
No limit

None over 0.010 in. No fibers may be

deep or more than exposed
12 in. long
Must be fully resin
No limit
filled; not drips
loosely glued to the
surface, which are to
be removed
Dry mat or prominent and dry woven
Split tests on cutouts
roving pattern not acceptable; discernible may be used to
but fully wetted woven pattern acceptable discern degree of
wet-out on
reinforcing layers
Max. deviation 20% of wall or 1/8 in.,
whichever is least

Not to cause a
cumulative linear
defect (outside defect
adding to inside
defect)

3% to structural, no 10% to structural,

limit to outer surface no limit to outer
repairs
surface repairs

Debond tests
required prior to
inner surface repairs

Permissible limits for laminate defects

Defect

Inner Surface

Outer Surface

Blisters

None

Chips

None

Cracks
Crazing
Dry spots

None
None
None

Entrapped air

None at surface. If in
3 mm diameter
laminate, not greater
maximum; no more than
than 1.5 mm diameter
3% of area
and not more than 2/100
mm2

Exposed glass
Exposed cut edges
Foreign matter

None
None
None

None
None
None if it affects the
properties of the laminate

Pits

Maximum 3 mm
diameter, 0.5 mm deep,
number shall not exceed
1/104 mm2

Maximum 3 mm
diameter, 1.5 mm deep

Scores
Surface porosity
Wrinkles

Sharp discontinuity

None
Maximum deviation 20%
of wall thickness but not
exceeding 3 mm
Maximum 0.5 mm

Maximum 6 mm
diameter, 1.5 mm high
Maximum 6 mm,
provided it does not
penetrate the reinforcing
laminate
None
Slight
Maximum 10 per m2 with
total not greater than
100 mm2 in area in area

Maximum 0.5 mm deep

None
Maximum deviation 20%
of wall thickness but not
exceeding 4.5 mm
Maximum 1 mm

BS 4994: 1987, 5. Specification for design and construction of vessels and

tanks in reinforced plastics

Effect of defects in composite materials

Defect
Delamination

Impact Damage

Ply Gap

Ply Waviness

Effect on the Material Performance

Catastrophic failure due to loss of interlaminar shear carrying capability.
Typical acceptance criteria require the detection of delaminations that
are >0.25- inch.
The effect on the compression static strength
Easily visible damage can cause 80% loss
Barely visible damage can cause 65% loss
Degradation depends on stacking order and location. For [0,45,90,-45]2S
laminate:
9% strength reduction due to gap(s) in 0o ply
17% reduction due to gap(s) in 90o ply
Strength loss can be predicted by assuming loss of load-carrying capability
For 0o ply waviness in [0,45,90, -45]2S laminate, static strength reduction is:

10% for slight waviness

25% for extreme waviness
Fatigue life is reduced at least by a factor of 10
Degrades matrix dominated properties
Porosity
1% porosity reduces strength by 5% and fatigue life by 50%
Increases equilibrium moisture level
Aggravates thermal-spike phenomena
Static strength reduction of up to 50%
Surface Notches
Local delamination at notch
Strength reduction is small for notch sizes that are expected in service
Thermal Over-exposure Matrix cracking, delamination, fiber debonding and permanent reduction
in glass transition temperature

Yoseph Bar-Cohen and Shyh-Shiuh Lih, "Progress and Challenges to the NDE of Composites
using Obliquely Insonified Ultrasonic Waves," 45th International SAMPE Symposium and
Exhibition, May 21-25, 2000, Long Beach CA.