Aerospace Applications

TWI solutions address a wide range of aerospace applications, including thermographic testing of jet engine turbine vanes, inspection of composite helicopter propellers, adhesive disbonds on aircraft fuselage components and inspection of the wing leading edge on the NASA Space Shuttle.

TWI systems provide the precise, quantifiable results that are needed in both the manufacturing process and during maintenance and repair.

Common Aerospace Applications

  • Impact Damage
  • Water Ingress
  • FOD Detection
  • Adhesion
  • Corrosion
  • Thickness Measurement
  • Cracks
  • Porosity
  • Disbonds
   
Quality Assurance for Aircraft Turbine Airfoil Manufacturing
TWI developed the T3S Thermographic Turbine Test Station to consolidate multiple inspection processes into a single system, providing an order-of-magnitude reduction in inspection time and significant cost savings.
  • Time Savings
  • Cost Reduction
  • Elimination of Manual Processes
  • Improved Efficiency
  
Structural Integrity   Blockage Detection
Structural
Integrity		   Blockage Detection
Crack Detection   Adhesion
Crack Detection   TBC Adhesion

NASA Space Shuttle

Space Shuttle Application 1   Shuttle application example

NASA inspects RCC panels on the nose cap and leading edge of the Space Shuttle using the EchoTherm system.

Composite Inspections

 
Disbond in composite propeller blade. Trapped Water Impact Damage