Optimization of Hidden Corrosion Detection in Aircraft Structures Using Lamb Waves: Numerical Predictions and Experimental Results

To increase the sensitivity of Lamb waves to hidden corrosion in aircraft structures, a preliminary step is to understand the phenomena governing this interaction. Hence, a hybrid model is used to simulate their interaction with corrosion pits. Numerical results permit to make easier the interpretation of the measured waveforms and thus to optimize the signal processing for detecting pitting at a very early stage. Now, we are able to detect corrosion pits down to 80‐μm depth randomly distributed on a square centimeter of an aluminum plate and to discriminate thickness variations from a slightly corroded area.