Surface Finishing in Aviation and Aerospace Engineering: Techniques and Importance

Aerospace engineering is a critical field that focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of aircraft and spacecraft. In this discipline, engineers study the science of aerodynamics, structural variations, propulsion systems, material selection, and control systems to create efficient aerospace vehicles. One important aspect of aerospace engineering is surface finishing, which involves the application of coatings and treatments to improve the performance, durability, and appearance of aircraft components.

Surface finishing is an essential process that helps to protect aerospace components from environmental and operational hazards. Aerospace components are subjected to extreme temperatures, pressures, and forces during operation, which can cause wear and tear, corrosion, and fatigue. Surface finishing can help to prevent these issues by applying coatings that provide resistance to corrosion, abrasion, and erosion.

There are several types of surface finishing techniques that are commonly used in aerospace engineering, including electroplating, anodizing, painting, and powder coating. Electroplating involves the deposition of a metal coating onto a substrate using an electric current. This process is used to enhance the mechanical properties of aerospace components, such as hardness, wear resistance, and fatigue strength. Anodizing is another surface finishing process that involves the formation of a protective oxide layer on the surface of a metal substrate. This process is commonly used on aluminum components in aerospace applications, as it provides excellent corrosion resistance, electrical insulation, and color options. Painting and powder coating are also important surface finishing techniques in aerospace engineering. These processes are used to provide a decorative finish and to protect components from environmental damage. Painting involves the application of a liquid coating to a substrate, while powder coating involves the deposition of a dry powder coating onto a substrate using electrostatic attraction.

In addition to improving the performance and durability of aerospace components, surface finishing can also enhance their appearance. The visual appearance of aerospace components is important for aesthetic and branding reasons, and surface finishing can help to achieve the desired look and feel. Aerospace engineers must consider the functional and aesthetic aspects of surface finishing when selecting the appropriate coating or treatment for a specific application.

Aerospace Surface Finishing

Ultrasonic Cleaning for Aerospace Engineering

Ultrasonic cleaning is a chemical and mechanical technique used to remove contaminants from aerospace components. It involves the use of high-frequency sound waves to agitate a cleaning solution that penetrates into crevices and removes particles, dirt, and other debris. Ultrasonic cleaning is one of the most efficient and effective methods of cleaning aerospace parts. Kemet provides ultrasonic cleaning machines that are automated, safe, and offer low production costs.

Passivation for Aerospace Engineering

Passivation is a chemical process that increases the corrosion resistance of stainless steel parts by removing iron particles from the surface of the component. The process involves the use of nitric acid or citric acid to remove free iron present on the surface. Passivation creates a shield against corrosion that can last for longer durations. Aluminum, titanium, ferrous materials, nickel, silicon, and stainless steel can be passivated using various techniques such as anodizing, phosphatizing, nickel fluoridizing, silicon dioxide, and chrome oxide layer, respectively. Passivation is an important process in aerospace applications, and Kemet provides passivation machines and systems that are automated and encapsulated at multi-stage lines.

Materials Used in Aerospace

The aerospace industry uses a wide range of materials to meet the required mechanical properties. Aluminum alloys, high-strength steels, titanium alloys, composites, and fibre-reinforced materials are some of the commonly used materials. These materials account for about 90% of the aircraft weight. Aluminum alloys are the preferred choice due to their lightweight and ease of processing, making them suitable for use in the aerospace industry. Polymer-based materials are also used in aircraft construction. The material properties needed comprise of resistance to fatigue and heat, high tensile strength of at least 889 MPa, yield strength of 800 MPa, damage tolerance, exceptional thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and stiffness. Graphene, metal alloys, composites, polymer composites, and glass-fibre reinforced materials are used to achieve these properties.

In order to ensure the flawless construction of aerospace vehicles, superior performing materials and optimal methods of production and manufacturing are necessary. Foundry and forging are some of the methods used for the manufacturing of aircraft parts. The foundry uses heat to melt the metal beyond its melting point, allowing it to take the desired shape after cooling. The foundry process is well-suited for producing large parts and bulk quantities. Forging heats the metal less than the melting point, allowing it to take the desired shape with the help of pre-formed sheet or rod. Recent studies have shown that forged parts have higher mechanical strength, such as 26% higher tensile strength, 37% higher fatigue strength, and yield strength up to 44%. There are also lower risks of porosity, and the interlocked grain structure helps in maintaining better mechanical properties. Simulations are performed for foundries and forging to evaluate and ensure the optimal performance of the part. Following this, mechanical and non-destructive testing are conducted to ensure the reliable operation of the components.

Coatings are used in the aerospace industry to enhance the performance and durability of the aircraft parts. The most commonly used coatings are thermal spray coatings, which are applied as thermal barrier coatings as well as abradable coatings. For thermal barrier coatings, materials of low thermal conductivity are sprayed on the surface of the airframe. Coatings with a thickness varying between 100 to 500 µm are utilized in the aerospace industry, where nanocomposite and metal matrix coatings are commonly utilized. Abradable coatings are applied to the compressor blades in jet engines to reduce the clearance between the blade and the casing. This results in higher efficiency and reduced fuel consumption. One of the most prevalent coatings employed for this purpose are Ni-Ti-based shape memory alloys. These coatings are used in actuation systems for wing flaps and other control surfaces.

Aerospace NDT: Ensuring Safe and Reliable Aerospace Components

Non-destructive testing (NDT) has been an integral part of the aerospace industry for many years. The aerospace industry relies heavily on NDT to evaluate the structural integrity of aerospace vehicles, components, and materials. NDT is a vital process in ensuring the safety and reliability of aerospace components. It can detect flaws, cracks, and defects in materials and structures that may not be visible to the naked eye. The main benefit of NDT is that it is a non-invasive testing method that does not compromise the structural or chemical integrity of the component under test. This means that the component can be tested without having to dismantle it, which saves time and money for the aerospace industry. Furthermore, NDT can detect the smallest flaw in the structure of aerospace materials and components, which can help to prevent catastrophic failures and accidents. Aerospace non-destructive testing is employed to detect different kinds of imperfections, such as geometric flaws, including welding defects, coating or material thickness, delamination, wrinkles, propagation of cracks due to corrosion, foreign particles, porosity, and dry areas. To achieve this objective, the industry employs a diverse range of techniques, including ultrasonic testing (UT), magnetic particle inspection (MPI), liquid penetrant inspection (LPI), visual testing (VT), eddy current testing (ET), radiographic testing (RT), shearography, thermography, and acoustic emission testing (AE). Ultrasonic testing, which employs high-frequency sound waves to identify defects in materials, is a frequently used technique. Detection of subsurface flaws such as cracks and voids can be notably facilitated through its use. Magnetic particle inspection is used to detect surface flaws in ferromagnetic materials. This technique involves the use of a magnetic field and iron oxide particles to detect surface cracks and defects. Liquid penetrant inspection is used to detect surface defects in non-ferromagnetic materials. It involves applying a liquid dye to the surface of the material, which penetrates into any surface cracks or defects. The excess dye is then removed, and a developer is applied to reveal the location of the flaws. Visual testing is the simplest and most widely used NDT technique. It involves a visual examination of the component to identify any visible defects or abnormalities. This technique is often used in conjunction with other NDT techniques to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the component. Eddy current testing is a technique that is used to detect surface and subsurface flaws in conductive materials. It involves the use of a magnetic field and a coil to detect changes in electrical conductivity caused by cracks or other flaws. Radiographic testing involves the use of X-rays or gamma rays to detect flaws in materials. This technique is particularly useful for detecting subsurface flaws, such as cracks and voids. Shearography is a non-contact NDT technique that is used to detect defects in composite materials. It involves the use of a laser to detect changes in the surface of the material caused by internal defects. Thermography is a technique that is used to detect surface defects in materials. It involves the use of an infrared camera to detect temperature variations caused by surface defects. Acoustic emission testing is a technique that is used to detect the release of energy caused by internal defects in materials. It involves the use of sensors to detect the acoustic emissions and analyze the data to identify any defects.

To ensure adherence to international standards, different certifications are available in the market, which the aerospace industry can acquire to prove their compliance. The quality assurance department plays a crucial role in selecting the appropriate NDT technique and ensuring that it is performed correctly. The use of reliable techniques with experienced personnel is essential for the aerospace industry to compete in the modern world.

Aerospace Mechanical Testing

Aerospace mechanical testing is a crucial aspect of aerospace engineering. It involves the testing of various components such as landing gear, aircraft frame, and other aerospace materials. It is essential to determine the mechanical properties of aerospace materials before their application in actual aircraft. This allows for cost-effective designs and advanced technological orientations of designed aerospace materials.

Aerospace mechanical testing involves various testing methods such as hardness testing, fatigue testing, tensile and compression testing, creep testing, impact testing, and indentation astrometry. Hardness testing is done using techniques such as Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers, Knoop, and Shore hardness testing. Various types of indenters, such as diamond, steel ball, or conical-shaped, are employed in these methods. Various ASTM standards exist for these testing procedures based on the type of hardness testing. Fatigue testing is a critical aspect of aerospace mechanical testing. The reduction of direct operating costs is the aim of upcoming future aerospace engineers. Corrosion and bird strikes are significant contributors to aircraft malfunctions. Hence, the creation and implementation of novel and enhanced aerospace materials capable of enduring such conditions are required. Fatigue testing determines the ability of a material to withstand cyclic loading. Tensile and compression testing is done to determine the strength of a material under tension and compression. Creep testing determines the ability of a material to withstand a constant load over an extended period. Impact testing is done to determine the ability of a material to withstand sudden shocks. Indentation astrometry is done to determine the hardness and stiffness of a material.

For the successful completion of material characterisation and testing, there is a need for sample preparation. Kemet offers a range of sample preparation machines including surface grinding, automatic milling machines, and pendulum grinding. Sample preparation is critical prior to optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and mechanical testing such as hardness testing and metallography.

Aerospace vehicles find applications in various fields such as long route transportation, communication, and live transmission, climate change analysis, environmental change monitoring, disaster prevention, geolocalisation, and advanced telecommunications. Unmanned aerial vehicles are also developed for more detailed and accurate analysis of outer space. The aerospace field encompasses military, commercial, missile, spaceships, the general aviation market, and airlines.

Aerospace Materials Characterisation: An Overview of Spectroscopy and Microscopy Techniques

The aerospace industry requires materials that can withstand harsh environmental conditions, high temperatures, and stress. For this reason, the characterisation and testing of aerospace materials are critical to evaluate their performance and durability. Characterisation techniques such as microscopy and spectroscopy provide insights into the microstructure of the materials and the presence of impurities or additional compounds.

Microstructural Analysis using Microscopy

Microscopy is a fundamental technique used in aerospace materials characterisation. It involves the use of light or electron beams to magnify the sample, allowing for visualisation of the microstructure. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and tunnelling electron microscopy (TEM) are some of the commonly used techniques. Optical Microscopy: Optical microscopy is a technique that uses visible light to magnify the sample. Kemet offers a range of optical microscopes such as metallurgical microscopes, stereo microscopes, digital microscopes, and polarising microscopes to cater to the needs of the aerospace industry. These microscopes provide high-resolution images and can be connected to Wi-Fi networks for efficient data transfer. Scanning Electron Microscopy: SEM involves the use of electrons to magnify the sample, providing a high-resolution image of the microstructure. SEM is useful for the evaluation of the surface morphology, crystallography, and composition of the material. Transmission Electron Microscopy: TEM is a technique that uses electrons to pass through the sample, providing a high-resolution image of the microstructure. TEM is useful for the evaluation of the crystal structure and defects in the material.

Spectroscopy in Aerospace Materials Characterisation

Spectroscopy involves the use of different spectrums to characterise the material. The spectrums include X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). X-ray Diffraction: XRD is a technique that uses X-rays to analyze the crystal structure of the material. XRD is useful for the evaluation of phase identification, crystallographic orientation, and texture analysis. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy: XPS is a technique that uses X-rays to excite electrons in the sample, providing information about the surface chemistry and elemental composition of the material. UV-vis Spectroscopy: UV-vis spectroscopy is a technique that uses light to determine the electronic structure and optical properties of the material. UV-vis spectroscopy is useful for the evaluation of the bandgap energy, electronic transitions, and the presence of impurities in the material. Raman Spectroscopy: Raman spectroscopy is a technique that uses light to determine the vibrational modes of the material. Raman spectroscopy is useful for the evaluation of the chemical bonding, structural analysis, and identification of impurities in the material. Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy: EDS is a technique that uses electrons to excite the sample, providing information about the elemental composition of the material. EDS is useful for the evaluation of impurities or additional compounds present in the material.