SBIR-STTR Award

Laser & Plasma Technologies (LPT) is proposing an optical fiber coupled corrosion treatment system, in which a unique thermographic imaging technique is used for early detection of corrosion. Combined with fiber laser removal and repair technologies, the system provides the capabilities of corrosion detection, removal, cleaning, and repair in difficult to access areas without damaging the underlying substrate or adjacent features. Early and accurate corrosion detection and repair are very important for monitoring aging of both military and civilian aircraft because corrosion can lead to a fast and fatal failure in engineering structures of aircraft. Furthermore, even in the case of newer systems and components, corrosion can be a significant problem because of the harsh operational environments encountered. This corrosion detection and treatment system utilizes a novel thermographic imaging technology, which is applied in an ongoing NAVY Phase 2.5 project, with fiber optic techniques for corrosion detection and repair. The proposed approach uses optical methods for corrosion detection and treatment making it highly environmentally friendly because there are no chemicals involved. The system also provides fast and accurate detection, efficient and low cost repair, and compact and portable size for field applications.

Keywords:
Corrosion, Detection, Removal, Repair, Aluminum Alloy, Fiber Optic, Thermographic Imaging

Laser & Plasma Technologies (LPT) is proposing to continue the Phase I development effort of a fiber-coupled multipurpose corrosion control system to advance the conventional corrosion detection and improve maintenance. Corrosion can lead to a fast and fatal failure in engineering structures of aircraft and so early corrosion detection and repair provides an opportunity for extending the life-cycle and increasing availability of aging aircraft. Even in the case of newer aircraft, corrosion can be a significant problem due to the harsh operational environments encountered. The overall objective of the program is to develop a fiber-coupled multipurpose corrosion control system for hard to reach areas. In the phase I of this program, the feasibility of the proposed technology was successfully demonstrated though experimental testing in which all the objectives of Phase I were completely met. The Phase II development efforts will include the optimization of the system design thereby allowing implementation of a prototype system for alpha testing.

Benefits:
The corrosion control system developed in this project would find direct application to military and commercial aircraft. The corrosion of metallic structures is an industry- and government-wide maintenance problem that has been rapidly spreading due to the increased amount of infrastructure and military assets that are aging. The annual cost of corrosion in aircraft alone is 2.2 billion dollars. Applications outside of aircraft can be found in a range of areas, such as reactors, ships, pipe lines, bridges, and storage tanks affected by corrosion. Efficient and cost effective detection and repair of corrosion will extend the life-cycle of assets while reducing downtime and losses due to corrosion-related failures.

Keywords:
corrosion,detection,removal,cleaning,sub-surface,repair,fiber coupled,non-destructive evaluation