NDT in the aerospace industry keeps our skies safe.



Introduction

At a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet, component failure in an aircraft could be catastrophic, and the same could be said for astronauts reentering the atmosphere of earth. Nondestructive testing catches defects in parts on land before they become a hazard in the air.

Fatigue and Corrosion



Aircraft and spacecraft parts are frequently reused, and this means that parts can experience fatigue. Parts do not have an indefinite lifespan, and eventually they will crack and break. Fatigue is caused by the stresses of flying, landing, and pressurization.



Aircraft and spacecraft parts are also worn down by corrosion. Airplanes are subjected to harsh elements such as rain, extreme winds, and wide temperature variance. Spacecraft are subjected to the harsh vacuum of space and must withstand extreme temperature variance. Engineers have put in place many fail-safes if an aircraft or spacecraft component breaks. However, it is much better to catch flaws ahead of an issue.

Aircraft and spacecraft parts are also worn down by corrosion. Airplanes are subjected to harsh elements such as rain, extreme winds, and wide temperature variance. Spacecraft are subjected to the harsh vacuum of space and must withstand extreme temperature variance. Engineers have put in place many fail-safes if an aircraft or spacecraft component breaks. However, it is much better to catch flaws ahead of an issue.

Aerospace NDT Methods



Visual Inspections (VT): Most aerospace inspections are done visually. Inspectors carefully examine all parts for signs of damage.

Most aerospace inspections are done visually. Inspectors carefully examine all parts for signs of damage. Dye Penetrant Testing (PT): A visible dye solution is used to reveal surface level defects. Parts are coated with a dye solution, excess dye is removed from the surface and any dye that has penetrated in the surface is revealed under UV light.



A visible dye solution is used to reveal surface level defects. Parts are coated with a dye solution, excess dye is removed from the surface and any dye that has penetrated in the surface is revealed under UV light. Ultrasonic Testing (UT): Ultrasonic testing is used in the aerospace industry to locate cracks, defects, voids, and laminations. It is also used to inspect welds and determine thickness measurements.



Ultrasonic testing is used in the aerospace industry to locate cracks, defects, voids, and laminations. It is also used to inspect welds and determine thickness measurements. Radiographic or X-Ray Testing (RT): Trained Radiographic technicians use radiation to detect deep subsurface defects. This method is very useful for testing and grading welds.

Trained Radiographic technicians use radiation to detect deep subsurface defects. This method is very useful for testing and grading welds. Eddy Current Testing (ET): Alternating electrical current is used to detect defects. The current creates an alternating magnetic field in the component, and the field is affected by the presence of defects. This method is used to check material thickness and detect corrosion damage.

Alternating electrical current is used to detect defects. The current creates an alternating magnetic field in the component, and the field is affected by the presence of defects. This method is used to check material thickness and detect corrosion damage. Magnetic particle testing (MT): A magnetic field applied to the part causes magnetic particles to gravitate to a flaw on the part's surface.



The Importance of NDT in Aerospace



Nondestructive testing is vital for the aerospace industry, because it keeps people safe. It also keeps costs down for commercial flights and space travel. The public trusts that the aircraft they enter will deliver them safely to their destination. NDT ensures that this is the case.

Citations

The Engineer. (2015, December 16). Non destructive testing in the aerospace industry. Retrieved from https://www.theengineer.co.uk/non-destructive-testing-in-the-aerospace-industry/.

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nde-ed.org/AboutNDT/SelectedApplications/AircraftInspection/Aircraft Inspection.htm.