Detection and Imaging of Damage, Including Hydrogen Embrittlement Effects in Landing Gear and Other High-Strength Steel Components

Hydrogen embrittlement can occur in high-strength steel components as a result of hydrogen uptake during cleaning with acid-based solutions, plating, or pickling. Reliable nondestructive detection of hydrogen embrittlement effects in high-strength steelaircraft components has been identified as critical for readiness of U.S. Air Force aircraft. JENTEK's imaging MWM-Arrays with grid inversion methods are proposed for detection and assessment of hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steels of interestto the U.S. Air Force. The proposed capability is expected to provide an effective portable tool for laboratory, production, and field-level applications. Using imaging MWM-Arrays with model-based measurement grids, JENTEK will focus, in Phase I, onadaptation of MWM-Arrays and imaging algorithms, and on demonstration of performance on high-strength steel specimens exposed to conditions likely to cause hydrogen embrittlement. In Phase II, JENTEK will (1) develop fieldable procedures for detection ofhydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steels; (2) develop enhancements for quantitative assessment and imaging; (3) develop other applications for MWM-Arrays on high-strength steel components, and (4) deliver an upgrade for the WR-ALC GridStation systemfor inspection of high-strength steel aircraft components.Successful completion of this program will provide the U.S. Air Force with a new tool to ensure structural integrity of high-strength steel components in aircraft. In addition, it will provide acapability of interest to the commercial aviation, as well as process/petrochemical/power industries.