Low frequency EC-GMR detection of cracks at ferromagnetic fastener sites in thick layered structure.

The detection of embedded cracks under fastener heads (CUF) in multilayer structures is a major challenge facing the aviation industry. Eddy current (EC) based techniques, such as Magneto-Optic Imager, Sliding probe and Self-nulling EC probes, and low frequency EC methods have been investigated. The prior work of authors presented an EC system using a uniform field excitation combined with giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors for imaging the normal component of magnetic flux density, has improved the effectiveness in detecting 2nd and 3rd layer CUFs with aluminum fasteners. However, detection of CUFs with ferromagnetic fasteners remains a major challenge. This paper presents the experimental study of automatic crack detection under steel fastener sites using low frequency EC with 3D GMR sensors that measure all 3 components of the induced magnetic flux density. A finite element model based study is used to optimize the system design and the experimental validation is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]