Applied Technical Services offers aircraft eddy current inspection services for the aviation industry. Our state-of-the-art eddy current testing equipment enables us to inspect aircraft components for irregularities such as cracks, corrosion, and fatigue. Early detection of such defects is important for flight safety and prolonging the life of the aircraft.
Eddy Current Testing — Taking Advantage of Electromagnetic Induction
Eddy current testing (ECT) is a method of nondestructive testing mainly used to detect surface flaws in conductive materials – ideal for the relatively thin metal material found in aircraft. ECT combines electricity and magnetism to create a magnetic field on the conductive metal surface. Our expert ECT technicians look for variations in electrical conductivity readings of this magnetic field, which typically indicate an irregularity on the surface.
Why Planes?
The general flexibility and accuracy of the eddy current testing method make it very effective for nondestructive testing of aircraft components. ETC allows our technicians to scan large areas of the aircraft surface/subsurface (wings, fuselage, etc.) quickly, as well as tight spaces and complex-shaped surfaces.
Common Eddy Current Inspections for Aircraft
Surface and subsurface inspections
Rotating bolt hole inspections
Bolt-holes can undergo stress after fastener removal that could cause cracking. Our technicians pass a rotating scanner through the bolt hole and monitor the area for signs of cracking.
Magneto-optic Imaging (MOI)
Conductivity measurements