The Advanced Development of X-Ray Computed Tomography Applications
Abstract
The application of X-ray computed tomography (CT) for aircraft and aerospace structure and ancillary equipment has been investigated in the Advanced Development of X-Ray Computed Tomography Applications demonstration (CTAD) program sponsored by the NDE Branch of the Materials Directorate at the Air Force Wright Laboratory (WL). X-ray CT offers a new inspection capability for aircraft hardware that provides quantitative information on material density/constituents and dimensions. This capability has economic value as an engineering tool for improving the evaluation and control of materials and processes used in aircraft/aerospace structures. The CTAD effort has investigated a wide variety of application areas for CT. These include electronics, closed systems, castings, composites, and advanced materials and processes. Applications of CT in these areas include: configuration control, anomaly detection, dimensional measurements and material uniformity. By using the actual dimensional characteristics of features and anomalies in a component, and the material characteristics, such as density and elemental composition, that are derivable from the CT data, engineers can perform a variety of analyses to arrive at quantitative measurements that are of economical value to improving the overall product cycle from development to deployment. Until specifications requiring CT are implemented, CT will be employed primarily as a supplement to other NDE methodologies for engineering evaluations such as product development/ material characterization measurements, failure analysis and engineering problem solving, noninvasive micrography and geometry acquisition.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA284211
Entities
People
- Benjamin W. Knutson
- Richard H. Bossi
Organizations
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security