IN-MOTION RADIOGRAPHY OF TITANIUM SPAR TUBE WELDS

Sikorsky Aircraft has developed a new fleet of commercial and military helicopters which rely on high technology composite rotor blades for increased performance. At the heart of each one of these blades is a titanium spar tube which acts as the main structural member. The titanium spar has undergone over a decade of development. Its current configuration consists of 6AL-4V titanium brake formed tube which is plasma arc welded along its entire length. Among the myriad of tests and inspections which the spar is subject to is a new radiographic technique used to verify spar tube weld integrity. This technique, referred to as “in-motion radiography,” has emerged as a key factor in increasing productivity while determining that the inspection of the weld is not compromised.