Corrosion Identification, Removal and Cleaning of Galvanic Couples in Difficult to Access Areas

Laser & Plasma Technologies (LPT) is proposing an optical fiber coupled corrosion treatment system, in which a unique thermographic imaging technique is used for early detection of corrosion. Combined with fiber laser removal and repair technologies, the system provides the capabilities of corrosion detection, removal, cleaning, and repair in difficult to access areas without damaging the underlying substrate or adjacent features. Early and accurate corrosion detection and repair are very important for monitoring aging of both military and civilian aircraft because corrosion can lead to a fast and fatal failure in engineering structures of aircraft. Furthermore, even in the case of newer systems and components, corrosion can be a significant problem because of the harsh operational environments encountered. This corrosion detection and treatment system utilizes a novel thermographic imaging technology, which is applied in an ongoing NAVY Phase 2.5 project, with fiber optic techniques for corrosion detection and repair. The proposed approach uses optical methods for corrosion detection and treatment making it highly environmentally friendly because there are no chemicals involved. The system also provides fast and accurate detection, efficient and low cost repair, and compact and portable size for field applications.