Eddy Current Sensors for Failure Analysis

There is a need for a non-destructive, in-situ method to determine the root cause of cracking in aircraft components, and specifically to distinguish between fatigue cracks, cracks due to overload conditions, and cracks caused by corrosion. RMD proposes to develop a system based on an array of eddy current sensors which could be used to make a high resolution map of the electromagnetic properties of the part. We hypothesize that different failure mechanisms have a different signature of both the spatial extent of changes to the material properties of the part around the crack, and different patterns of evolution over time. Recording the evolution of these changes, either by periodic inspections or by permanently mounting a 2D sensor array for continuous monitoring, will both allow any damage to be detected early enough to be addressed before parts fail, and will provide essential diagnostic information to facilitate remedial action to prevent future failures.