engleski

NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING IN AVIATION

The continuous increasing of air traffic together with the intention of operators to become more profitable has the consequence that there are now a large number of old aircrafts in service that are toward the limit of their life expectancy. These aircraft have problems with material fatigue, corrosion and the eruption and growth of structural cracks. This situation generates the condition of greater responsibility on the part of mainteinance staff, who must discover and repair problems before catastrophes occur. Non-destructive testing techniques consist of scientific based technology, methods and procedures for examination of structural elements without disturbing the structural integrity. The most frequently used methods of NDT are visual inspection, liquid penetrants, magnetic particles, eddy current, ultrasound and radiography. This paper provides an historical review of each method, its advantages and disadvantages, possibilities of particular use in aviation and other characteristics. Finally, the situation regarding Croatian NDT at the present time is described and compared with alternative methods and projections of further development.

non-destructive testing; aircrafts; maintenance

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