Assessment of State-of-the-Art of In-Service Inspection Methods for Graphite Epoxy Composite Structures on Commercial Transport Aircraft.
Abstract
The DoD and NASA are expending considerable effort in research and development for the application of advanced composite structures in aircraft. Numerous advanced composite structures are in flight service on both military and commercial aircraft, and others are in various stages of development. However, in order for this advanced composites technology to be applied to production of commercial aircraft, the airlines must be ready to accept the new technology in their operations. Important considerations in this acceptance are the economics and safety in maintaining the new technology aircraft. To a large extent, this will depend on the background information available on fabrication, maintenance, and inspection methods and costs for advanced composite structures. NASA is involved in an extensive advanced composite systems program to develop the technology necessary for production application in commercial transport aircraft. The purpose of this program is to assure that adequate in-service inspection methods are available for commercial transport aircraft. Phase I establishes current methods and practices on today's aircraft and determines needs and guidelines for development of additional in-service inspection technology. Phase II develops and documents the needed technology within the program level of effort. The program focuses on in-service inspection methods for graphite-epoxy composite structures for commercial transport aircraft.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA305194
Entities
People
- M. L. Phelps
Organizations
- Boeing