Direct Measurement of Protection System Breakdown and Corrosion Processes within Aircraft Structures

ABSTRACT: TRI/Austin will develop and validate a sensor for detecting the initial stages of coating breakdown testing based on TRIs patented Embedded Environment and Loads (EEL) sensor (U.S. Patent No. 7913570). This sensor design is well suited for implementation in miniature using thin film sensors as well as integration into a larger test coupon. The EEL provides a number of key capabilities to support the sensing requirements: It provides real time, continuous measurement of corrosion activity, not corrosivity. It supports additional environmental sensors (temperature, humidity), and supports bare or coated structure. The sensor electronics are separable and reusable for cost effectiveness.; BENEFIT: There are a number of families of sensors that have been proposed as corrosion sensors, but actually measure environmental parameters like humidity. Many of these are 20 years old or more. TRI/Austins EEL sensor actually measures the electrochemical activity of corrosion, not a parameter that implies corrosion. The EEL sensor package can also be implemented in a thin film, allowing insertion into restricted access environments or into layered structures. The EEL sensor could be integrated into a package and used for local monitoring of structures from aircraft to bridges to storage tanks; its inherent simplicity and low cost make it a promising candidate for use in a variety of applications.