After reaching a predetermined number of flight hours, aircraft in the Canadian Forces are usually selected for an Aircraft Sampling Inspection (ASI) program. ASIs are inspections carried out in order to gather data to make decisions on the content of the aircraft's preventive maintenance program, and consist of systematic disassembly and inspection of representative aircraft at a depot-level facility to locate hidden defects, deteriorating conditions, corrosion, damage due to fatigue or overstress, and any other deficiencies in the aircraft structure or systems.
As part of the CF188 ASI program, a trial was initiated to inspect the flight control surfaces of 3 aircraft using through transmission C-scan, conventional x-radiography, and neutron radiography in order to determine the capabilities of each technique. The trial concluded that neutron radiography was clearly the best technique to detect areas of corrosion and moisture entrapment, and could also detect areas of disbond, inconsistent sealant, and non-homogeneous repairs. However, due to the small sample size of only 3 aircraft inspected, further data was necessary prior to any trends being identified. Therefore, it was decided to expand the project to include an additional 5 aircraft. This expanded project necessitated a few modifications to the neutron radiography facility in order to facilitate parts manipulation and area shielding.
Therefore, this paper will give an overview of neutron radiography and its unique applications, and then present the results of the inspections completed on the CF188 ASI aircraft and the modifications to the SLOWPOKE-2 neutron radiography facility.
Abstract Source:
Book of Abstracts, 7th European Conference on Non-Destructive Testing, 26-29 May 1998, ISBN: 87-986898-0-00
Full-Text Source:
Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Non-Destructive Testing, 26-29 May 1998, ISBN:
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