NDTnet 1998 Aug, Vol.3 No.8

Abstract

Until now curing fuel leaks has been a relatively difficult operation for operators and manufacturers alike. The methods available to identify the leak paths have been air blowing associated with soapy water to detect bubbles (a method as old as aviation itself), and suction associated with dye penetrant, neither method being very successful.

Airbus Industrie investigated several leak path detection methods and has selected and developed a new detection technique using helium as a tracer gas to allow easier detection of the source of the leak.
This technique, which was developed in cooperation with two companies, Helitech and Varian, and with the support of different maintenance centres and airlines, was the only one which offered the required sensitivity and reliability, and is a great step forward compared to the methods used previously.

Conventional methods for detecting fuel leaks are now becoming obsolete. This helium technique has been tested and fine tuned on several aircraft. It is now the most efficient and reliable method of identifying fuel leak sources. It is cost effective as a much lower number of manhours are required to cure fuel leaks and it reduces significantly the aircraft downtime. In addition it also confirms the integrity of the repair, avoiding the use of fuel.

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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