A CASE STUDY IN IMPROVING AIRCRAFT INSPECTONS WITH BOND TESTING TECHNOLOGY

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION Verifying the quality of adhesive-bonded components and structures is an essential part of aircraft manufacturing. Reliable bonding helps to ensure the integrity of composite structures throughout... [ view full abstract ]

ABSTRACT:
INTRODUCTION
Verifying the quality of adhesive-bonded components and structures is an essential part of aircraft manufacturing. Reliable bonding helps to ensure the integrity of composite structures throughout their service life. The wide range of materials and configurations used in multilayered structures and the need for nondestructive evaluation of bonds has resulted in many different types of testing equipment and methods being used. The case study that will be presented showcases an updated bond testing procedure. This technique uses the latest advances in bond testing instruments to improve the probability of detection of disbonding and delamination, reduce setup time, and improve analysis. This case study focuses on disbonding and delamination detection.