Digital Technologies in Radiation Inspection of Aircraft Equipment Products

The problem of radiographic testing of aircraft parts — substitution of radiographic testing technique using radiographic film with others less time-consuming techniques is formulated. As it is a question of radiographic testing of especially responsible aircraft parts, substitution has to be adequate. Quality of the obtaining image has to be, at least, not worse than the film radiographic image. Digital techniques, specifically X-ray film digitization technique, computed radiography using photostimulated plates and digital radiography using digital detector systems of direct and indirect conversion were considered. Functional schemes of each technique are shown. Advantages and disadvantages assessment of each technique was carried out. It is shown that digital radiography using digital detector systems is the most adequate technique for aircraft parts and structures radiographic testing. The problems to be solved for it widespread adoption in aircraft manufacturing, are formulated.
Keywords: digital technique, X-ray film digitization, computed radiography, digital detector systems.