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Hybrid Thermographic Detection of Kissing Unbond Defects

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
54867 		Program Year/Program:
2001 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
991952 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Thermal Wave Imaging, Inc.
845 Livernois Street Ferndale, MI -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2001
Title: Hybrid Thermographic Detection of Kissing Unbond Defects
Agency: NASA
Contract: N/A
Award Amount: $0.00
 

Abstract:

Fast, portable IR NDE systems capable of automated operation and quantitative defect measurement are now commercially available, and have been credited with significant cost savings in aerospace manufacturing and service sectors. However, despite advantages of speed and wide area, non-contact inspection, IR methods are limited in their ability to detect disbonds in which there is mechanical contact but no adhesive bond. We will investigate the feasibility of a system for detection of these ¿kissing unbonds¿ using a novel combination of pulsed thermography and applied vacuum stress. Both vacuum stress and flash heating will be applied to the part, and a differential IR image comparing the post-flash cooling of the stressed and unstressed part will be generated. The apparatus for acquiring the image and applying the heating and vacuum stress will be housed in a portable hood with a 10¿ x 10¿ field of view, and typical acquisition times of 20 seconds. If successful, the fully realized system will extend the capabilities of thermographic NDE systems to allow inspection of skin to core disbonds in honeycomb and foam core structures, and thick composite components used in the space shuttle and X-33, as well as commercial and military aircraft.

Principal Investigator:

Tasdiq 1. PhD
Physicist
tahmed@thermalwave.com

Business Contact:

Steven Shepard
President
2485694960
sshepard@thermalwave.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Thermal Wave Imaging, Inc.
18899 W. 12 Mile Road Lathrup Village, MI 48076

EIN/Tax ID:
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No