Nondestructive Method and Data Analysis for Organic Matrix Composite Leading Edges

TRI/Austin has teamed with Bercli and Iowa State Universitys Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) to develop nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques and analyses suitable for the whole life cycle management of highly curved composite components like leading edges and chines.We propose to develop NDE techniques and accompanying data analysis to start at production with initial, high capital intensive, high technology inspections. These inspections can often find non-rejectable conditions such as fiber orientations, small inserts, etc. The following inspections at depot and field environments will be analyzed in the light of the original data for the range of inservice issues. This addresses an important design consideration: what if service damage occurs at a sub-rejectable (and not detected in field) discontinuity Finally, we will use our modeling and experimental expertise to develop defect assessment capabilities. Accurate sizing in plane and in depth, and understanding of local properties in a defect or damage volume, enables better maintenance decisions.