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Pulsed Eddy-Current Measurements of Corrosion and Cracking in Aging Aircraft

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

J. C. Moulder  and
J. A. Bieber
J. C. Moulder
Affiliation:
Center for NDE, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, jbieber@cnde.iastate.edu
J. A. Bieber
Affiliation:
Center for NDE, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, jbieber@cnde.iastate.edu
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Abstract

Pulsed, or transient eddy-current methods are an effective tool for quantitative characterization of hidden corrosion and cracking in multi-layer aircraft structures. Eddy currents are the method of choice for this task, since they penetrate multiple layers of metal, whether or not the layers are mechanically bonded. The pulsed eddy-current technique is an important advance over conventional eddy-current methods because it rapidly acquires data over a wide range of frequencies, thereby providing more information than a conventional, single-frequency eddy-current instrument. We have combined a pulsed eddy-current instrument with a portable two-axis scanner to produce an instrument capable of rapidly scanning aircraft lap splices in situ, producing pseudo-color images that reveal hidden corrosion or cracking. A unique feature of time-domain eddy-current data is the ability to selectively filter clutter from the image by time-gating the pulsed signal. Time-gating permits the user to select the inspection depth, thereby eliminating interference from upper layers, air gaps, lift-off variation and fasteners. By using a theoretical model of the pulsed eddy-current system, it is possible to interpret the data quantitatively, yielding quantitative maps of corrosion damage. Some of the same advantages of the pulsed eddycurrent technique apply to the characterization of hidden fatigue cracks as well, although the tieory for crack signals is less advanced.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 503: Symposium JJ – Nondestructive Characterization of Materials in Aging Systems , 1997 , 263
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998

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References

REFERENCES

1. Moulder, J. C., Bieber, J. A., IIIWard, W., and Rose, J. H., in Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Aircraft, Airports, and Aerospace Hardware, edited by Rempt, R. D. and Broz, A. L. (SPIE Proc. 2945, Bellingham, WA, 1996) pp. 2–13.Google Scholar
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5. Bieber, J. A., Tai, C.-C., and Moulder, J. C., presented at the 1997 Review of Progress in Quantitative NDE, San Diego, CA, 1997 (unpublished).Google Scholar