NDT
// ROB COPPINGER
Reflecting
reality
Advances in neutron imaging are
for imaging aerospace parts
making the technique more suitable
yrotechnics for ejection seats,
missile propellant, warheads and
jet engine turbine blades are
routinely imaged with neutron
radiography at specialist centres. But the nondestructive
testing technology used to examine these
components is set to become more widely available and
with greater capabilities.
“I would like to think that in another decade we will
be able to see neutron generators at customer locations
or a plant site, rather than people having to send
products to a research reactor” says Rankin
MacGillivray, president of Canadian neutron imaging
provider Nray Services.
Currently items that are being imaged using neutron
radiography have to be to sent to a reactor at a university
campus or a government laboratory. A long-term
challenge in aerospace testing is that universities are
slowly shutting down the research nuclear reactors that
provide a source of neutrons for the purpose.
TURBINE DEMANDS
NRay Services operates two neutron imaging facilities,
one in Canada and one at North Carolina State
University and plans to open a third at Oregon State
University. MacGillivray sees advantages in neutron
imaging services that use accelerators instead of reactors,
mainly in that they can be closer to the customer. “There
are indications that the accelerator technology is
probably going to advance enough for this,” he says.
56 MARCH \\ AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM
/AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM