Fiber optic sensors for detection of corrosion within aircraft

The cost of preventing and controlling corrosion in aging aircraft fleets is becoming a significant burden. Early detection of corrosion will reduce the maintenance required to repair the damage, which should result in increased aircraft availability and significant reduction in the cost of ownership. Fluorescent fiber optic sensors that detect aluminum cations from the early stages of the corrosion process are proposed as a means for providing early warning of corrosion in susceptible areas of an aging aircraft. This article will discuss the results for two different carriers of an aluminum-sensing fluorophore and some of the key technical issues that need to be resolved for the development of an effective fiber optic sensing system.