SBIR-STTR Award

Early detection of corrosion and its severity can help control corrosion initiated failures in wheeled vehicles and aviation assets. Although preventive maintenance and periodic inspections are required to minimize cost of corrosion these routine inspections are limited to external areas and can be subjective. If it was possible to develop a low cost corrosion sensor that would be able to remotely monitor the onset of corrosion and its severity in inaccessible areas there would be a significant impact in reducing the cost of corrosion and also improving the military readiness. We propose to test a myraid of corrosion sensors some available commercially and some developed in our labs. The sensors evaluated not only detect corrosion early but by continuosly monitoring can minimize excess corrosion related maintenance and inspection in Army missile systems and Aircraft applications. Corrosion detection will be achieved using sensors such as MAS probe, Wetness sensors, impedance sensors etc. depending on the system. Corrosion severity will be measured by continuously monitoring (remotely) either using low cost motes (wireless devices) or a datalogger depending on the application

Early detection of corrosion and its severity can help control corrosion initiated failures in wheeled vehicles and aviation assets. Although preventive maintenance and periodic inspections are required to minimize cost of corrosion these routine inspections are limited to external areas and can be subjective. Based on Phase I results, we will develop a prototype corrosion sensor system that is low cost, requires no upkeep, and is able to remotely monitor the onset of corrosion and its severity in inaccessible areas. The prototype will include an array of sensors that will be continuosly monitoring with the goal to minimize excess corrosion related maintenance and inspection. Finally, the prototype will be tested in the laboratory and in the field to evaluate its efficacy, reliability and to develop a methodology for maintenance.

Keywords:
Sensor, Corrosion, Missile, Motes, Aircraft, Remote, Multi Array Sensor, Impedance, Wetness, Nde