Mapping hidden aircraft defects with dual-band infrared computed tomography
Infrared computed tomography (IRCT) is a promising, non-contact, nondestructive evaluation tool used to inspect the mechanical integrity of large structures. We describe on-site, proof-of-principle demonstrations of IRCt to inspect defective metallic and composite structures. The IRCT system captures time sequences of heat-stimulated, dual-band infrared (DBIR) thermal maps for flash-heated and naturally-heated targets. Our VIEW algorithms produce co-registered thermal, thermal inertia, and thermal-timegram maps from which we quantify the percent metal-loss corrosion damage for airframes and the defect sites, depths, and host-material physical properties for composite structures. The IRCT method clarifies the type of defect, e.g., corrosion, fabrication, foreign-material insert, delamination, unbond, void, and quantifies the amount of damage from the defect, e.g., the percent metal-loss from corrosion in metal structures, the depth, thickness, and areal extent of heat damage in multi-layered composite materials. Potential long-term benefits of IRCT technology are in-service monitoring of incipient corrosion damage, to avoid catastrophic failure and production-monitoring of cure states for composite materials.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 61711
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-120546; CONF-9506126-2; ON: DE95011531; TRN: 95:004307
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Conference on nondestructive evaluation of aging infrastructure, Oakland, CA (United States), 6-8 Jun 1995; Other Information: PBD: 3 Apr 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Precise thermal NDE for quantifying structural damage
Dual-band infrared (DBIR) imaging inspections of Boeing 737 and KC-135 aircraft panels