Non-Destructive Evaluation

The non-destructive evaluation (NDE) group at the Institute for Aerospace Research (IAR) provides inspection services utilizing state-of-the-art facilities through collaborative, contract, and cost recovery-based research and development projects.

Areas of Expertise

• Non-destructive detection and measurement of flaws or damage in metallic and composite materials, welding, adhesively-bonded joints and aerospace components
• Non-invasive characterization of materials (conductivity, elastic moduli, adhesion and thickness gauging)
• Transducer characterization and beam profiling
• Signal / image processing, data fusion, and pattern recognition for automation of NDI
• Surface scanning and topography for detection of deformation, perturbation, stress distribution, corrosion, cracks and forensic studies
• Corrosion research
• Full field experimental stress/strain analysis
• Probability of detection (POD) and confidence analysis
• Damage tolerance-based life prediction
• Safe inspection interval calculations

Aircraft undergoing D-Sight inspection