Throughts on NDT for coposites in the field

We are happy to find space in INSIGHT for the experiences of those operating at the sharp-end of NDT. Their practical knowledge may provide encouragement and help to other operators, and useful feedback to those developing new instrumentation and improved techniques. This article by David Clarke about his first-hand experience of testing composite components in the field is very much in this category. It is based on a presentation he made at the Institute's Conference in Chester. The editor welcomes readers'views on including similar 'sharp-end' contributions in future issues of INSIGHT During the least 10 years, composite components have been increasingly used in both commercial and military aircraft. Their use is now providing a challenge to aircraft maintenance departments - how do you determine their continuing integrity without extensiv 'strip-downs' and component removal ? This article gives some thoughts and ideas about NDT of composite parts in the field and will seek to show. how some of the established non-destructive test disciplines and somme of the newer ones can help in this. From simple techniques, such as cointapping, to more complex techniques (using equipment such as the 'Andscan') a variety of faults and problems can be located and analysed. There are ways that components can be evaluated using NDT, and some of that work can be performed in situ.