Enhancing Probability of Detection and Analysis of Bolt Hole Eddy Current

Abstract

Fatigue cracks are prone to develop around fasteners found in multi-layer aluminum structures on ageing aircraft such as the CC-130 Hercules and CP-140 Aurora (P-3 Orion). Probability of Detection (POD) studies using eddy current techniques within the bolt holes contribute to risk assessments used in evaluating the serviceability of these aircraft. Improving POD by optimizing the inspection system can reduce the required frequency of inspections, since assurance of detection of smaller crack sizes extends the interval for which growth of cracks to a critical size may occur. In this work signal analysis and POD of laboratory grown fatigue cracks in the corners of bolt holes of 7075-T6 aluminum is examined. A number of parameters that enhance crack detection are identified, including the use of intimate contact probes versus steel sheath (non-contact), higher frequencies and the use of C-Scan display. Results demonstrate better detectability at 1600 kHz, than at the normally used 400 kHz, and enhanced recognition and assurance of identification of peak crack signal for data recorded and displayed in a C-Scan format. Results are compared with a previous POD study, which used current field techniques for detection.