Thermographic nondestructive testing (TNDT) of honeycomb composite structural parts of Atlas space launch vehicles

Douglas D. Burleigh; David R. Kuhns; Scott D. Cowell; James E. Engel

doi:10.1117/12.171164

21 March 1994 Thermographic nondestructive testing (TNDT) of honeycomb composite structural parts of Atlas space launch vehicles

Douglas D. Burleigh, David R. Kuhns, Scott D. Cowell, James E. Engel

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2245, Thermosense XVI: An International Conference on Thermal Sensing and Imaging Diagnostic Applications; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.171164
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1994, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The thrust structure at the aft end of the Atlas space launch vehicle is a composite sandwich comprised of aluminum honeycomb core with fiberglass/phenolic face sheets. The surface area of this structure is approximately 600 ft². In 1992, General Dynamics Space Systems Division (GDSS) began using thermographic nondestructive testing (TNDT) for quality verification of these complex composite parts. TNDT has been used on these parts during manufacture and assembly, and on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. The NDT technique used on these parts since their design in 1957 was `coin tap.' Compared to this method, TNDT provides a greatly improved inspection in less time and at a lower cost. A heat gun with a diffuser attachment is used to heat the inspection area while the area is monitored thermographically. TNDT is a rapid, remote, non-contact, highly portable, real-time scanning technique that can provide a well-documented video record of subsurface structural details including facesheet disbonds and skin delaminations. A specification and test procedure has been written, equipment has been procured, and personnel have been trained and certified. TNDT is a production test method at GDSS.

Citation Download Citation

Douglas D. Burleigh, David R. Kuhns, Scott D. Cowell, and James E. Engel "Thermographic nondestructive testing (TNDT) of honeycomb composite structural parts of Atlas space launch vehicles", Proc. SPIE 2245, Thermosense XVI: An International Conference on Thermal Sensing and Imaging Diagnostic Applications, (21 March 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.171164

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available