Aircraft Corrosion Inspection System

The Air Force requires an improved corrosion detector to assess corrosion in multi-layer metallic structures on its aircraft. A compact and portable device is needed that can pinpoint corrosion in the early stages of pitting deep within these multi-layer structures. Reactive Innovations, LLC proposes a Phase I program to develop and demonstrate a corrosion detection system based on an electrochemical interrogation method. We have previously shown a method to electrochemically characterize surfaces that can be packaged into a hand-held and inexpensive device. With this approach, we will apply it to the real-time assessment of corrosion on complex geometric components on aircraft. During the Phase I program, we will show the interrogation methodology to locate and assess the severity of corrosion on multi-layer aluminum components with varying degrees of corrosion. Algorithms will be developed to help assess the detector response. An assessment of the scan rate, detector size and mass, and the unit cost will be made that will be applied in a Phase II program to develop an operational hand-held corrosion detection system.