Inspection of metallic thermal protection systems for the X-33 launch vehicle using pulsed infrared thermography
Inspection of metallic thermal protection systems for the X-33 launch vehicle using pulsed infrared thermography
- New search for: Taylor, J.O.
- New search for: Dupont, H.M.
- New search for: Taylor, J.O.
- New search for: Dupont, H.M.
High resolution pulsed infrared thermography (PIRT) has been assessed, selected and developed for the inspection of brazed metallic honeycomb sandwich thermal protection system (TPS) parts for the X-33 space vehicle. This inspection is fast, reliable and less costly that alternative methods. Infrared thermography has been shown to be an effective method for inspecting brazed inconel honeycomb sandwich thermal protection system. It has a defect size inspection limit equivalent to that for pulse echo ultrasonic testing (the standard method being replaced) and can be further improved, at the expense of inspection time. Shearography and holography are not suitable inspection methods for the types of parts discussed here. While both methods are capable of finding the defects, they both have practical limitations that preclude their use for production inspection. In the case of shearography, the limitation is that the excitation frequency range would need to the established for each part. For holography, the leaking of significant numbers of cells severely limits its application.
Document information
Inspection of metallic thermal protection systems for the X-33 launch vehicle using pulsed infrared thermography
Untersuchung von metallischen Wärmeschutzsystemen für das X-33 Raumfahrzeug mit der Infrarot-Impuls-Thermographie
1998
10 Seiten, 12 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 2 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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