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Title: Detection of Hidden Cracks on Aircraft LAP Joints with GMR Based Eddy Current Technology

Journal Article · · AIP Conference Proceedings
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2184549· OSTI ID:20798254
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Wyle Laboratories, Inc., 2700 Indian Ripple Road, Dayton, Ohio 45440 (United States)
  2. Boeing Commercial Aviation Service, 2925 S 112th Street, Building 1114, Seattle, WA 98168 (United States)

Cracks occurring on commercial aircraft fuselage lap joints made of aluminum alloys often caused by scribe lines made during the removal of process of moisture sealing materials between two layers. These cracks on thinner bottom skin layers can be obscured by thicker top plates with paint. A portable GMR (Giant Magnetoresistive) sensor based eddy current system has been developed and tested on several simulated aircraft lap joints samples with EDM notches. Various thicknesses of layers are used to simulate the test as used on different combinations of lap joints. Length and depth of cracks are important factors for the safety of aircraft. Test results are used to come up with a portable nondestructive inspection system which is easy and fast with a high reliability of detecting cracks longer than a half inch in length and 0.010 inches in depth.

OSTI ID:
20798254
Journal Information:
AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 820, Issue 1; Conference: Conference on review of progress in quantitative nondestructive evaluation, Brunswick, ME (United States), 31 Jul - 5 Aug 2005; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2184549; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English