Application of ultrasonics to space shuttle tiles

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5222820

Zimmerman, R M; Hogenson, P A

Two types of discrete sized ceramic tiles bonded to the outer skin of space vehicles are used for the thermal protection of the Space Shuttle during reentry. Failure of any one of the more than 30,000 tiles on the Space Shuttle could have significant effects. Ultrasonic testing to establish the soundness of the Space Shuttle tiles was evaluated and found to be a viable and valuable method. The method is simple, quick, and has a statistical basis. The testing method involves comparing the measured velocities of finished tiles to velocity-tensile strength relationships obtained for coupons. Acceptance criteria can be developed for the computerized data collection and the status of the tile determined automatically. The method was instituted after many tiles were in existence. It is planned that the method be used to determine tile material quality before any machining or finishing is done in an effort to make the system more efficient. (LCL)

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Rockwell International Corp., Downey, CA (USA). Space Systems Group
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5222820
• Report Number(s): SAND-80-1380C; CONF-801021-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360200 -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories
42 ENGINEERING
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
ABLATION
ACOUSTIC TESTING
CERAMICS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
HEAT TRANSFER
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
PERFORMANCE
REENTRY
SPACE VEHICLES
SURFACES
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TESTING
ULTRASONIC TESTING