Nonlinear Acoustics for the conditioning monitoring of Aerospace structures (NACMAS)

There is pressure in and on the aerospace sector to embed sensors in flight-ready systems and subsystems in order that Condition Monitoring may provide continuous and early-warning reports as to the flightworthiness of such systems during their manufacture, while on the ground or during maintenance intervals.

Theta Technologies is a UK-based global leader in the commercialisation of the Nonlinear Resonance technique for Non-Destructive Testing of aerospace components. Applicable components can be metallic, composite or ceramic, and they can be conventionally or additively manufactured.

Nonlinear Resonance offers a unique opportunity to detect the formation and propagation of very fine cracks (known as 'contact cracks' or 'stealth flaws') or delaminations (such as 'kissing bonds') and impact damage far in advance of any eventual failure. The nature of the method, however, requires that transmission and reception sensors and their relationship with the system under test must be sufficiently and reliably linear, in order that any nonlinearity detected can be confidently associated with flaws in that system.

The project will conduct a performance assessment of a range of sensors when embedded into composite subassemblies. The intended outcome is best-practice knowhow indicating which sensors and couplings are appropriate for a range of aerospace subsystems in order to carry out Conditioning Monitoring of aerospace structures using Nonlinear Resonance.