Innovative Quality Control Assessment Methods for Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) Components

The proposed novel Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) techniques will provide advanced characterization of Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) components to enhance manufacturing quality control, support component condition assessment and permit prediction of component performance. JENTEK has developed a family of electroquasistatic and magnetoquasistatic sensors and arrays that have successfully solved a wide range of previously intractable NDE problems. These sensors and arrays use model-based inversion algorithms to produce images of spatial variations of electromagnetic properties that have been correlated with many conditions of interest. NASA recently purchased a JENTEK system for detecting internal damage in the reinforced carbon-carbon material used on the leading edge of the shuttle wing. Also, JENTEK's Interdigitated Electrode Dielectrometer is being adapted for determination of porosity and incipient delamination of ceramic thermal barrier coatings on turbine engine components. In this proposed Phase I program, we will adapt JENTEK's electroquasistatic sensors with model-based inversion algorithms for characterization of CMCs for manufacturing quality control and in-service inspection. To address CMC manufacturing QC, we have assembled a team with CMC researchers (UDRI), fabricators (COI Ceramics) and an end user (Pratt & Whitney). In Phase II, we will develop a fieldable, prototype system for integration with the CMC manufacturing process.