Application and evaluation of the technical condition of composite materials in aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles by acoustic emission method of nondestructive testing

Introduction. The paper analyzes the application of composite materials as the main determining method of reducing the mass of the airframe and an unmanned aerial vehicle. Advanced nondestructive testing methods provide assessing the technical condition of these materials, as well as determining stress concentrators on the airframe and an unmanned aerial vehicle with high accuracy in order to make a decision on the further operation of this object under control. The objective of the work was to increase the accuracy and efficiency of the assessment of crack resistance of composite materials through the acoustic emission control.Materials and Methods. This paper presents the nomenclature of composite materials used in the construction of various aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles. The most possible probable defects of these materials due to the influence of operational factors are presented. The applied methods of nondestructive testing of composite material and selection of the most suitable one according to specific advantages were compared. An experiment was carried out to determine the strength limits of carbon fiber using a hardware and software complex by acoustic emission method. The research results are presented in the form of drawings projected by the hardware and software complex.Results. The application of the acoustic-emission method of composite material control is described.Discussion and Conclusions. The results obtained experimentally can be used in the process of determining the strength limits of various composite materials by the acoustic emission method of nondestructive testing to assess the technical condition in mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, and aircraft construction. The paper is recommended to researchers involved in the design of aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

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Nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) is one of the most important techniques for determining the quality and safety of materials, components, devices, and structures [...]

NDE Outlook: Informatization of NDT and NDE

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Foreword to the Special Issue on Terahertz Nondestructive Testing

It is my pleasure to introduce this Special Issue on “Terahertz Nondestructive Testing”, one of the most promising new technologies to be applied to non-destructive inspection problems [...]

Determination of parameters of surface defects for quality control of repair work on submerged crossings

Внутритрубная диагностика позволяет обеспечить высокую выявляемость поверхностных трещиноподобных дефектов стенки трубопровода. Для их устранения в условиях проведения ремонтных работ на подводных переходах магистральных нефте- и нефтепродуктопроводов традиционно используется установка герметизирующей камеры, изолирующей дефектный участок и позволяющей в полной мере провести обследование области с опасным дефектом и дальнейший ремонт с применением методов неразрушающего контроля. Данная технология является безальтернативной, когда требуется вырезка-вварка катушки или другая сварочно-монтажная операция, однако представляется избыточной для устранения поверхностного дефекта методом вышлифовки. Современные технологии позволяют устранить поверхностный трещиноподобный дефект без установки герметизирующей камеры и тем самым значительно уменьшить трудоемкость и стоимость ремонта. Однако их широкое применение сдерживается отсутствием технической возможности проведения контроля качества отремонтированного участка под водой методами неразрушающего контроля с эквивалентной чувствительностью и выявляемостью относительно обычных условий. В этой связи выполнены экспериментальные исследования с целью определения пороговых значений параметров поверхностных трещиноподобных дефектов, выявляемых методами неразрушающего контроля в подводных условиях с учетом качества зашлифованной поверхности. Такие значения получены, в частности, для метода ультразвукового контроля с технологией фазированной решетки, модуляционного метода контроля с использованием вихретоковой матрицы, люминесцентного магнитопорошкового метода. Сформулированы требования к характеристикам оборудования для проведения неразрушающего контроля в условиях подводных работ. In-line diagnostics makes it possible to secure high detectability of surface crack-like defects of the pipeline wall. To eliminate them in conditions of repair work performed on submerge crossings of main oil and oil products pipelines, the installation of a sealing chamber is traditionally used to isolate the defective area and to enable a full-investigation of the area with a hazardous defect and further repairs, by non-destructive testing methods. This technology has no alternatives when cutting and welding of the coil or other welding and assembly operation is required, but it seems redundant for elimination of a surface defect by grinding method. Modern technologies make it possible to eliminate a surface crack-like defect without installing a sealing chamber and thereby can substantially cut manpower input and cost of repair. Their widespread use is deterred by the lack of technical possibility for quality control of the repaired area under water by nondestructive testing methods with equivalent sensitivity and detectability versus the normal conditions. In this regard, experimental research has been conducted to determine the threshold values of the parameters of surface crack-like defects detected by non-destructive testing methods in submerged conditions, taking into account the quality of the sanded surface. Such values were obtained, in particular, for the ultrasonic testing method with phased array technology, the modulation control technique using eddy current matrix, and the luminescent magnetic powder method. Requirements to performance characteristics of equipment for nondestructive testing in submerged operations have been formulated.