Digital Detector Array for Non-destrucitve Radiographic Imaging of Aircraft Structures

For the safety and airworthiness of aircraft, the aerospace industry has stringent product quality requirements to ensure structural integrity of critical components. Non-destructive inspections (NDI) are routinely performed to ensure product quality and identify defects before they reach critical size. Radiographic inspection plays a key role for inspection of aircraft structural components. Film-based radiography requires consumables, darkroom facility, and manual processing; this is not only time consuming, but also requires more radiation exposure than digital systems. Digital radiography eliminates these requirements and currently in a transition state of switching to two kinds of digital technologies: (1) Digital Detector Arrays, DDA, also known as flat panel detectors, digital radiography, DR, and (2) Computed Radiography, (CR). Flat panel detector (DDA) based allows faster/easier straight acquisition of the radiographic image digitally without the necessity of films or even phosphorous plate like in CR. DR/DDA is also suitable for real time imaging and automation. Before implementing this technology as aircraft inspection procedures, a detailed performance assessment leading to inspection qualification is required. This paper highlights the initial and periodic performance evaluation metrics necessary during initial performance evaluation and periodic maintenance.