Drucella Andersen

Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

July 28, 1993
(Phone: 202/358-4727)

Kirsten Williams
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
(Phone: 804/864-6124)

RELEASE: 93-137

NASA ADAPTING UNIQUE X-RAY SYSTEM TO INSPECT AIRCRAFT

NASA is adapting an existing, cutting-edge x-ray system to

improve inspections of aging aircraft while saving American
industries money.

The x-ray system, which combines TV-like scanning by x-ray

beams with digital data acquisition, was originally intended for
medical, dental and other industrial purposes. Researchers at
NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., have devised several
unique aeronautical and aerospace applications for the system.

"We want to take advantage of a novel system, slightly modify

it and use it for aircraft," said Dr. Joseph Heyman, Head of
Langley's Nondestructive Evaluation Sciences Branch. "We will use
it for measuring composite materials, for assessing damage growth
in materials and for supporting tests to assess how structures
behave under stress."

To enhance safe air travel, Langley will adapt the system to

inspect aircraft wings, turbines and propeller blades for
corrosion, cracks and disbonding. "This research is part of our
mandate to work with the Federal Aviation Administration to
improve safety and reliability," Heyman said.
 Because the system yields depth information, this x-ray
technique also may be used by NASA to view how fibers mesh in
three-dimensional composites and to monitor them for internal
damage. Other potential uses include checking for changes in
solid rocket fuel over time.

"It's such a broad applications area," Heyman said. "I see

it as a general purpose tool for NASA and for industry."
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Before NASA can employ the machine, researchers must

miniaturize the system's sensors. They then can be inserted into
internal structures to inspect entire aircraft, including
hard-to-reach corners and crevices. Under a NASA contract, the
Digiray Corp., which developed, patented and marketed the system,
has boosted its power so thicker aircraft parts can be imaged.

Langley researchers also must come up with methods to ensure

the accuracy of the data and to enhance interpretation of the
x-ray image. "We need to develop computational models that can
take the data we obtain using the Digiray system and essentially
map it into something that can be quantitatively interpreted,"
said Dr. William Winfree, a NASA senior researcher.

"Other evaluation methods like ultrasonics and thermography

exist, but are used for different purposes," Winfree added. "We
believe that these types of technologies, which improve image
quality, permit reliable airframe inspection and reduce cost."

Transferring the Technology

NASA hopes to sign a memorandum of agreement with Digiray

Corp. that approves Langley's applications and adaptations. NASA
has a rigorous technology transfer program to let aerospace
technology permeate the private sector.

Langley researchers will share these unique uses of the x-ray

technology with commercial air fleets, as well as other
industries. There also are potential spin-off uses, such as
improved medical x-rays and assembly-line part scanning to control
production quality.

"This technology cooperation will expand the use for this

product and will help U.S industries maintain product quality,"
Heyman said. "We as a national lab should be a resource for U.S.
industry, helping them become more competitive."

-end-