APPLIED X-RAY COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY

The application of X-ray computed tomography (CT) for aircraft and aerospace structures and ancillary equipment has been investigated in the Advanced Development of X-Ray Computed Tomography Applications demonstration (CTAD) program sponsored by the NDE Branch of the Materials Directorate at the Air Force Wright Laboratory. The volumetric feature evaluation capability of X-ray CT offers a quantitative measurement tool for material density/constituents and dimensions. This capability has economic value for improving the evaluation and control of materials and processes used in aircraft/aerospace structures. The CTAD effort has applied CT in a variety of areas such as electronics, closed systems, castings, organic composites and advanced materials and processes, using a wide range of X-ray sources from less than 150 kV to 9 MV. Applications of CT in these areas include configuration control, anomaly detection, geometry acquisition, failure analysis, noninvasive micrography, product development support and engineering fitness for service.