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Chapter 5. Nondestructive Inspection (Ndi) : Section 8. Tap Testing 5-105. GENERAL. Tap Testing Is Widely

Tap testing is a quick method to evaluate aircraft surfaces for delamination or debonding by lightly tapping the surface with an object and comparing the acoustic response to a known good area. Only relatively shallow defects can be found in thin skins. The accuracy depends on the inspector's subjective interpretation. Acoustic emission testing detects and locates activated flaws in a structure by applying stress and picking up ultrasonic pulses from cracks and corrosion with sensors. It can reduce the area needing other inspection methods but is complicated by signals from joints in complex structures. Thermography uses thermal energy to detect flaws by observing abnormal temperature variants when an item is heated or cooled. Holography creates a three-dimensional image using laser beams and

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134 views3 pages

Chapter 5. Nondestructive Inspection (Ndi) : Section 8. Tap Testing 5-105. GENERAL. Tap Testing Is Widely

Tap testing is a quick method to evaluate aircraft surfaces for delamination or debonding by lightly tapping the surface with an object and comparing the acoustic response to a known good area. Only relatively shallow defects can be found in thin skins. The accuracy depends on the inspector's subjective interpretation. Acoustic emission testing detects and locates activated flaws in a structure by applying stress and picking up ultrasonic pulses from cracks and corrosion with sensors. It can reduce the area needing other inspection methods but is complicated by signals from joints in complex structures. Thermography uses thermal energy to detect flaws by observing abnormal temperature variants when an item is heated or cooled. Holography creates a three-dimensional image using laser beams and

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blackhawk
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9/8/98 AC 43.

13-1B

CHAPTER 5. NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION (NDI)


SECTION 8. TAP TESTING
5-105. GENERAL. Tap testing is widely changes in geometry, in which case a standard
used for a quick evaluation of any accessible of some sort is required. The entire area of
aircraft surface to detect the presence of de- interest must be tapped. The surface should be
lamination or debonding. dry and free of oil, grease, and dirt. Tap test-
ing is limited to finding relatively shallow de-
a. The tap testing procedure consists of fects in skins with a thickness less than
lightly tapping the surface of the part with a .080 inch. In a honeycomb structure, for ex-
coin, light special hammer with a maximum of ample, the far side bondline cannot be evalu-
2 ounces (see figure 5-22), or any other suit- ated, requiring two-side access for a complete
able object. The acoustic response is com- inspection. This method is portable, but no re-
pared with that of a known good area. cords are produced. The accuracy of this test
depends on the inspectors subjective inter-
b. A flat or dead response is consid- pretation of the test response; therefore, only
ered unacceptable. The acoustic response of a qualified personnel should perform this test.
good part can vary dramatically with

FIGURE 5-22. Sample of special tap hammer.

5-111. [RESERVED.]
5-106.

SECTION 9. ACOUSTIC-EMISSION

5-112. GENERAL. Acoustic-Emission is an that can be picked up by sensors. Cracks and


NDI technique that involves the placing of areas of corrosion in the stressed airframe
acoustical-emission sensors at various loca- structure emit sound waves (different frequen-
tions on the aircraft structure and then applying cies for different size defects) which are regis-
a load or stress. The level of stress applied tered by the sensors. These acoustic-emission
need not reach general yielding, nor does the bursts can be used both to locate flaws and to
stress generally need to be of a specific type. evaluate their rate of growth as a function of
Bending stress can be applied to beamed applied stress. Acoustic-emission testing has
structures, torsional stress can be applied to an advantage over other NDI methods in that it
rotary shafts, thermal stresses can be applied can detect and locate all of the activated flaws
with heat lamps or blankets, and pres- in a structure in one test. Acoustic-emission
sure-induced stress can be applied to pres- testing does not now provide the capability to
sure-containment systems such as the aircraft size flaws, but it can greatly reduce the area
fuselage. The materials emit sound and stress required to be scanned by other NDI methods.
waves that take the form of ultrasonic pulses

Par 5-105 Page 5-53


AC 43.13-1B 9/8/98
CHAPTER 5. NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION (NDI)
SECTION 9. ACOUSTIC-EMISSION

5-113. APPLICATIONS. A wide variety of relatively simple instrumentation. However,


structures and materials, such as: wood, plas- slight movement of bolted or riveted joints can
tic, fiberglass, and metals can be inspected by also generate acoustic signals. Thus a complex
the acoustic-emission technique by applying structure may have many acoustic sources be-
stress on the test material. The emis- sides flaws in its components. These un-
sion-producing mechanism in each type of wanted emission sources greatly complicate
material may differ, but characteristic acous- acoustic-emission tests of complex structures.
tic-emissions are produced and can be corre- The difficulties are not prohibitive, but they
lated to the integrity of the material. Acous- put a premium on the intelligent use of signal
tic-emission technology has been applied quite processing and interpretation. Therefore, be-
successfully in monitoring proof tests of pres- cause of the complexity of aircraft structures,
sure vessels and tests of fiber-reinforced plas- application of acoustic-emission testing to air-
tic structures of all kinds. There are now craft has required a new level of sophistication,
ASTM standards and ASME codes applying to both in testing techniques and data interpreta-
its use in testing gas cylinders and both metal tion. Research and testing programs are cur-
and fiber-reinforced plastic vessels, tanks, and rently in progress to determine the feasibility
piping. of acoustic-emission testing on several differ-
ent types of aircraft.
For a welded structure such as a pressure ves-
sel, acoustic-emission testing works well with 5-119. [RESERVED.]
5-114.

SECTION 10. THERMOGRAPHY

5-120. GENERAL. Thermography is an NDI heated or cooled. The greater the materials
technique that uses radiant electromagnetic resistance to heat flow, the more readily the
thermal energy to detect flaws. The presence flow can be identified due to temperature dif-
of a flaw is indicated by an abnormal tem- ferences caused by the flaw.
perature variant when the item is subjected to
normal heating and cooling conditions inherent 5-126. [RESERVED.]
5-121.
to the in-service life, and/or when artificially

SECTION 11. HOLOGRAPHY

5-127. GENERAL. Holography is an NDI on film, or other electronic recording medium,


technique that uses visible light waves cou- creating a double image. Indications of ap-
pled with photographic equipment to create a plied stresses or defects are shown as virtual
three-dimensional image. The process uses images with a system of fringe lines overlay-
two laser beams, one called a reference beam ing the part. Holography is most commonly
and the other called an object beam. The two used for rapid assessment of surface flaws in
laser beams are directed to an object, between composite structures.
beam applications the component is stressed.
The beams are then compared and recorded 5-133. [RESERVED.]
5-128.

Page 5-54 Par 5-113


9/8/98 AC 43.13-1B

CHAPTER 5. NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION (NDI)

SECTION 12. SHEAROGRAPHY

5-134. GENERAL. Shearography was de- test part is properly stressed. Shearography
veloped for strain measurements. The process has been developed into a useful tool for NDI.
now provides a full-field video strain gauge, It can be used easily in a hangar environment,
in real time, over large areas. It is an en- while meeting all laser safety concerns. Other
hanced form of holography, which requires applications include the testing of honeycomb
the part to be under stress. A laser is used for structures, such as flaps and control surfaces.
illumination of the part while under stress. Shearography offers a great increase in the
The output takes the form of an image proc- speed of inspection by allowing on-aircraft in-
essed video display. This technique has been spections of structures without their removal,
used effectively in locating defects, such as as well as inspections of large areas in just
disbonds and delaminations, through multiple seconds.
bondlines. It is capable of showing the size
and shape of subsurface anomalies when the 5-140. [RESERVED.]
5-135.

Par 5-134 Page 5-55 (and 5-56)

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