Nonscanning Compton Backscattered X-Ray Corrosion Evaluation and Monitoring System

To address the Air Force need for ascertaining if there has been corrosion activity in a hidden or inaccessible area of an aircraft structure without disassembling it, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new affordable, portable Nonscanning Compton Backscattered X-ray Corrosion Evaluation and Monitoring (COXEC) system for determining general and pitting corrosion in aluminum alloys, based on an original X-ray apodized coded aperture (ACA) camera registering Compton backscattered X-ray photons. The proposed device is based on: an X-ray ACA camera, which is capable of effectively creating a Compton backscattered X-ray image; a portable pulse 80-keV X-ray source; a CCD camera with an X-ray scintillating detector; and a portable computer with software for real-time image processing and displaying. Due to POCs unique ACA camera, the COXEC system resolution will be 3.5 in. with a higher energy source: ~200 keV); and field of view ~15 degrees. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of COXEC by in situ detection of hidden general and pitting corrosion of aluminum alloys. In Phase II, POC plans to design, fabricate, and test the commercial prototype COXEC. BENEFIT: The immediate application of the COXEC system is for in situ detection and monitoring of hidden general and pitting corrosion of aluminum alloys in complex aircraft structures, without disassembly or preliminary preparation. Military applications of the COXEC system for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Army also include corrosion detection and evaluation of rockets, cruise missiles, light ships, etc. The commercial variant of the proposed low-cost COXEC system can be used for the nondestructive inspection of civil aircraft, spacecraft, and other machines.)