Time Dependent Thermography (TDT) is a key approach for unlocking the potential of infrared thermography NDE for aerospace applications. Issues such as inspector training and certification, system validation, inspector workload, defect characterization, and customer approval must be resolved before TDT can be utilized as a stand-alone configuration for defect detection or process verifiaction. TDT component evalutions and demonstrations have proven in some cases to be very valuable as a single side bond line evaluation tool, and complements detectability levels of existing NDE method such as automated ultrasonic and A-scan evaluation techniques. Cross-verification of defect indications have helped provide the quality assurance of advanced composite structures, and increased potential for field level inspection capability. Thermal NDT has been used to evaluate composite propeller blades on the C-130J transport, and various advanced composite structural components on the F-22 program. Once TDT is validated and accepted as a conventional NDI method, the authors will expect to significantly reduce inspection times in many instances. Plans are in place at LMASC to continue as a beta-test site for Themal Wave Imaging, Inc. as they continue developing new enhancements in system performance. The beta-site agreement is a useful tool which allows continual feedback between the user and the manufacturer. Continued improvements in both hardware and software analysis tools are expected.
Applications for thermal NDT on advanced composites in aerospace structures
Anwendungen der thermischen ZfP auf moderne Verbundwerkstoffe in Luftfahrtbauteilen
1998
9 Seiten, 13 Bilder, 3 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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