SUITABLE NDT TECHNIQUE FOR FUSELAGE AND EMPENNAGE OF THE AIR-BETTLE AIRCRAFT

摘要

The Non-Destructive Techniques under investigation is to determine the suitable ones that would be conducted on the fuselage and empennage. Eddy current testing is based on well known phenomenon of electromagnetic induction and is applicable for non-destructive evaluation of all electrically conducting materials. In this paper eddy current and visual method were used to conduct the experimental test on the body of the aircraft which is mostly made up of aluminium alloy 2024-T3 and some composite material. Two techniques were selected out of the various techniques available, a selection criteria was observed based on the size of the fuselage and empennage, the material, cost, as well as availability of the technique, based on the aforementioned selection criteria, Eddy Current and Visual Testing techniques were selected. Although visual Technique has some limitations but however, it was augmented by Eddy Current Technique. Due to the non ferromagnetic material, Eddy current method was the most effect while carrying out the test. Experiment on sampled ABT-18 aircraft was conducted and the result reveal the reliability of the fuselage and empennage were still in good shape, partly because the aircraft has covered less than 30% of the 2,000 flying hours allocated before overhaul.