Embedded MWM-Arrays for Monitoring Corrosion and Bolt Pre-loads

The GAO estimates that corrosion costs the military services over $21B per year. Corrosion of magnesium housings and between metal surfaces have both been identified as significant concerns. Joints are susceptible because they can trap moisture and contaminants and joint interior spaces cannot be accessed for inspection without disassembly. Magnesium housings are susceptible where they come into contact with other metals and form galvanic cells. Embedded corrosion sensors could provide an early warning of corrosion damage at susceptible locations to allow timely inspection and remediation and to prevent unnecessary disassembly. JENTEK"s Meandering Winding Magnetometer (MWM) sensors and arrays have demonstrated capability to detect the loss of material and changes in geometry associated with corrosion inside joints as well as changes in bolt pre-load. MWM-Arrays are currently being evaluated by US and foreign militaries for numerous embedded fatigue monitoring applications. In this proposed Phase I program, JENTEK will demonstrate capability of embedded MWM-Arrays to detect and characterize corrosion at a specific susceptible location of interest and to monitor bolt pre-load. This integrated solution will be supported by a new hand-held data logger and multiplexing capability recently demonstrated for corrosion monitoring.