Examining x-ray testing for aerospace
Greg Reed, Contributing Technical Editor -- Test & Measurement World, 6/1/2007
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See the continuation of this article for details on the inspection of turbine blades, ducts, air channels, and hydraulic lines. |
When used to inspect aerospace structures, x-ray inspection plays an important role in safety, quality assurance, and cost. The flaw-resolving capabilities of x-ray systems can mean the difference between life and death. Using x-ray systems, inspectors can examine areas of aerospace structures that would otherwise be uninspectable without dismantling them to gain access. Further, x-ray systems can inspect and detect damage that is too small to be discovered visually during “walk-around” checks.
“The success of space missions depends upon reliable parts,” said Gary Stupian, scientist at The Aerospace Corp. “X-ray inspection is used both in the production screening of some types of components and as part of the investigation that ensues whenever a failure is encountered during ground testing.”
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A typical x-ray inspection process, such as investigation of this 2-D CT slice of a turbine blade, involves interpretation of results by a skilled individual. Courtesy of YXLON International. |
X-ray inspection methods for aerospace and aircraft include film exposure, real-time imaging, imaging with digital detectors, and computed tomography (CT). Digital x-ray imaging techniques have been developed to a point where the resulting images are often of higher quality than those produced with traditional film radiography. “The cross-sectional image provided by 3-D x-ray computed-tomography techniques allows highly accurate measurement of even the thinnest geometries,” commented Jason Robbins, director of operations at YXLON International.
Some very large x-ray machines have been built to accommodate the test requirements of aerospace parts like wings and engines. But portable systems are available for inspecting large structures that cannot conveniently be disassembled. Collecting x-ray images to test for features such as small cracks in very large structures will obviously result in a lot of data that must be reviewed.
See the continuation of this article for details on the inspection of turbine blades, ducts, air channels, and hydraulic lines.
