Non-destructive testing methodologies on helicopter fiber composite components challenges today and in the future

Abstract

Eurocopter helicopter structures are composed of fiber composite materials. Helicopter rotor blades consist of very complex monolithic CFRP laminates, like the main rotor blades of EC135 helicopter or the fuselage of NH90 helicopter made of CFRP laminates and sandwich structures. Design and production processes are adapted to the characteristics of the high performance FRP structures to reach the specified requirements on functionality, quality and safety. With various NDT techniques, defects could be detected inside the structures. The efficiencies of the NDT techniques will measure how well individual defects can be detected and characterized according to defect type, location and size. NDT techniques like ultrasonic testing, X-ray computed tomography, thermography and shearography or are in strong demand. This lecture describes aspects of NDT inspection on helicopter components, methodologies such as NDT techniques, Design to NDT, process optimization and monitoring, material and defect characterization and the “effect of defects”.