Damage Detectability on Aluminum Alloy Panels Under Composite Patching by Various NDT Techniques

Abstract

AbstractComposite patching method is widely applied for repair cases of metallic aircraft structures due to more efficient performance than conventional repairs. However, the detection of structures integrity under patch, during the service life of aircraft, by non-destructive means is considered of great importance. In the present study, different NDT techniques such as active infrared thermography, eddy currents and electrical impedance spectroscopy, were applied for the detection of simulated artificially introduced damages - notches, on the surface of aluminum aircraft skin panels, Al 2024-T3, under composite patching (carbon reinforced laminates). The detection sensitivity of each technique was investigated based on the relation between thickness of composite patch and specific parameters of each method aiming at the development of a reliable, for this purpose, quality inspection technique.