Development of techniques for the neutron radiography of CF188 flight control surfaces

A neutron radiography facility previously installed on the SLOWPOKE-2 resea rch reactor at the Royal Military College of Canada has been used to gain e xperience with the inspection of flight control surfaces from the CF188 fig hter aircraft. Through operating the facility in a temporary manner in term s of handling and shielding for this application, over 500 radiographs were made for more than three aircraft. Moisture and corrosion were discovered in the honeycomb structure and hydration was found in the composite and adh esive layers. The experience also indicated a need to characterize the neut ron beam, to decrease the exposure lime by finding a faster film and conver sion screen combination, and to develop a gauge to evaluate the moisture tr apped in the honeycomb cells of flight control surfaces, (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.