In aerospace components, reliability regarding mechanical failures is of particular importance. This is especially true for ceramic components due to their brittleness, as even a single defect at a critical location can lead to crack formation and catastrophic failure. Currently, extensive stress tests are conducted that exceed the predicted operational limits. This method is not only time-consuming and costly but often induces undesirable stresses and additional risks.
Therefore, there is a strong interest in developing non-destructive testing methods that offer the same reliability but with less effort and time.
The aim of the project was to develop an efficient and reliable non-destructive testing technique for ceramic materials in aerospace applications. This was to be achieved by combining X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for defect detection and finite element analysis to reliably identify defects and assess their criticality. The technology should be suitable for all space-relevant ceramic materials and also transferable to general material testing.
Project Duration | 07/01/2023 - 06/30/2024 |
Sponsor | General Support Technologiy Programme (GSTP) ESA |
Project partner | European Space Agency (ESA) |
Project lead at HTL | Dr. Simon Pirkelmann |
Project coordination | PD Dr. Gerhard Seifert |