The Sensitivity of Neutron Radiography for Detection of Aluminium Corrosion Products

Within a feasibility study concerning the introduction of neutron radiography as a nondestructive method into the domestic aircraft industry and for the maintenance of domestic commercial civil aircraft, the sensitivity of neutron radiography for detection of A1 corrosion products was studied experimentally. The mass thickness of a large area surface corrosion deposit which could be easily detected through thick (1 – 2 cm) Al slabs was found to be at least 0.02 g/cm2. The minimal detectable mass thickness of corrosion products depends on the relative amount of A1(0H)3 and A10(0H), moisture and possible organic materials in their composition and should be in the range of 0.01 – 0.02 g/cm2.