Specialized Services
Our Trinity Specialized Services, Inspectors can help you with all of your Non Destructive Testing (NDT) needs. We can help you in complying with the AD's set forth by the FAA. We can perform inspections on site, or at your facility.
Non Destructive Testing is a wide group of analysis techniques used in science and industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component or system without causing damage. Because NDT does not permanently alter the article being inspected, it is a highly valuable technique that can save both money and time in product evaluation, troubleshooting, and research. Mid America Propeller specializes in some of the most common methods of NDT such as, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, magnified visual inspection, and eddy current testing. NDT is a commonly used tool in forensic, mechanical, electrical, civil, system, and aeronautical engineering, as well as medicine.
Magnetic Particle
Magnetic particle inspection uses magnetic fields and small magnetic particles such as iron particles to detect flaws in ferromagnetic materials. The main requirement for the magnetic particle inspection is for the material to be ferromagnetic. A magnetic field is induced into the material being tested and iron particles are applied to the surface. If there are any defects present at or near the surface, it will create a leakage field. The iron particles are attracted to the leakage field creating a visual representation of the defect.
Magnetic particle testing is used to inspect various materials at different levels of the manufacturing process to determine if they are compliant for use. It is also used to test materials that are in service to determine if they are acceptable to continue in service.
Liquid Penetrant Testing
Dye penetrant inspection (DPI), also called liquid penetrant inspection (LPI) or penetrant testing (PT), is a widely applied and low cost inspection method used to locate surface-breaking defects in non-porous materials (metals, plastics or ceramics). LPI is used to detect casting, forging and welding surface defects such as hairline cracks, surface porosity, leaks in new products, and fatigue cracks on in-service components.
LPI is based upon capillary action, where low surface tension fluid penetrates into clean and dry surface-breaking discontinuities. Penetrant may be applied to the test component by dipping, spraying, or brushing. After adequate penetration time or dwell time, has been allowed, the excess penetrant is removed and a developer is applied. The developer helps to draw penetrant out of the flaw where a visible indication becomes visible to the inspector. Inspection is performed under ultraviolet or white light, depending upon the type of dye used - fluorescent or nonfluorescent.
Eddy Current Inspection
Eddy-current testing uses the principal of “electromagnetism” as the basis for conducting inspections. Eddy currents are created by a process called electromagnetic induction. When alternating current is applied to a conductor, such as copper wire, a magnetic field is created in and around the conductor. The magnetic field that is produced expands as the alternating current rises to it's maximum and collapses as the current is reduced to zero. When another conductor is brought near constantly changing magnetic field, current will be induced into second conductor.
Eddy currents are induced electrical currents that flow in a circular path. Any obstruction of the eddy currents ,such as a crack or edge of the test piece, will cause a deflection in the meter. The eddy current test method can detect cracks, measure material thickness, measure coating thickness, and find the conductivity value of materials.
Ultrasonic Testing
Ultrasonic testing (UT) uses sound energy to look for flaws and dimensional factors such as material thickness. Sound waves are introduced into the material by a transducer. When there is a discontinuity (such as a crack) in the wave path, part of the energy will be reflected back from the flaw surface. The reflected wave signal is transformed into an electrical signal by the transducer and is displayed on a screen.
Ultrasonic testing is on of the most commonly used inspection methods used in the field. It is a form of non-destructive testing used in many industries including aerospace, automotive and other transportation sectors.
Infrared and Thermal Testing
Thermographic inspection refers to the nondestructive testing of parts, materials or systems through the imaging of the thermal patterns at the object's surface.
Infrared thermography is a non-destructive, non-intrusive, non-contact mapping of thermal patterns or "thermograms", on the surface of objects. An infrared thermographic scanning system can measure and view temperature patterns based upon temperature differences as small as a few hundredths of a degree Celsius. Infrared thermographic testing may be performed during day or night, depending on environmental conditions and the desired results.
A typical application for IR Thermographic equipment is looking for “hot spots” in electrical equipment, which illustrates high resistance areas in electrical circuits. These “hot spots” are usually measured in the range of 40 °C to 150 °C (70 to 270 °F) above ambient temperatures.
AD compliance is not the only inspections we perform, we can and will perform any and all Non Destructive Testing needs you may have, even if it is for your own peace of mind.
We have Beechcraft certified inspectors that can perform the SIRM inspections on Beechcraft products.
If X-Ray, Ultrasonic, or Infrared inspections are required we can facilitate that for your company.
Wing Spar Inspections
We have staff that are Beech certified to do the SIRM wing spar inspections and have FAA approval to do Thrush wing spar inspections. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact us today.
Cadmium Plating
Cadmium plating is another one of the specialized services we offer at Trinity Specialized Services. Electroplated Cadmium is a corrosion resistant cyanide coating. Cadmium is a soft white metal that functions as a sacrificial coating that corrodes before the surface of the “part” itself. The electroplating process deposits 0.0050 inch of cadmium on ferrous parts. To enhance the corrosion protection of cadmium plating chromate conversion coatings can be applied over the plated metal. This is also how the different colors of plated cadmium are achieved. Once the metal is plated, these parts are then baked to relieve any hydrogen embrittlement that may occur. It is only after the baking process that these parts then go through the chromate conversion (either gold or clear). We perform the cadmium plating process in accordance with the QQ-P-416 specifications. Cadmium plating offers an exceptional bonding surface, and is the preferred coating for salt-water environments. Additional advantages of cadmium plating include: low electrical resistance; outstanding conductivity; superior solderablility; favorable galvanic coupling with aluminum; excellent natural lubricity, which results in prevention of galling and a low coefficient of friction. This is especially useful in applications where components will be repeatedly disassembled and reassembled, such as in scheduled maintenance of aircraft. We offer a plating service for all industries, except for the food handling industry. Due to Cadmium’s toxic nature it is strictly prohibited from all food-handling applications.
Mid America can handle all of your plating needs. Please feel free to contact a plating technician today. Call 870-615-2297.
Non Destructive Testing is a wide group of analysis techniques used in science and industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component or system without causing damage. Because NDT does not permanently alter the article being inspected, it is a highly valuable technique that can save both money and time in product evaluation, troubleshooting, and research. Mid America Propeller specializes in some of the most common methods of NDT such as, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, magnified visual inspection, and eddy current testing. NDT is a commonly used tool in forensic, mechanical, electrical, civil, system, and aeronautical engineering, as well as medicine.
Magnetic Particle
Magnetic particle inspection uses magnetic fields and small magnetic particles such as iron particles to detect flaws in ferromagnetic materials. The main requirement for the magnetic particle inspection is for the material to be ferromagnetic. A magnetic field is induced into the material being tested and iron particles are applied to the surface. If there are any defects present at or near the surface, it will create a leakage field. The iron particles are attracted to the leakage field creating a visual representation of the defect.
Magnetic particle testing is used to inspect various materials at different levels of the manufacturing process to determine if they are compliant for use. It is also used to test materials that are in service to determine if they are acceptable to continue in service.
Liquid Penetrant Testing
Dye penetrant inspection (DPI), also called liquid penetrant inspection (LPI) or penetrant testing (PT), is a widely applied and low cost inspection method used to locate surface-breaking defects in non-porous materials (metals, plastics or ceramics). LPI is used to detect casting, forging and welding surface defects such as hairline cracks, surface porosity, leaks in new products, and fatigue cracks on in-service components.
LPI is based upon capillary action, where low surface tension fluid penetrates into clean and dry surface-breaking discontinuities. Penetrant may be applied to the test component by dipping, spraying, or brushing. After adequate penetration time or dwell time, has been allowed, the excess penetrant is removed and a developer is applied. The developer helps to draw penetrant out of the flaw where a visible indication becomes visible to the inspector. Inspection is performed under ultraviolet or white light, depending upon the type of dye used - fluorescent or nonfluorescent.
Eddy Current Inspection
Eddy-current testing uses the principal of “electromagnetism” as the basis for conducting inspections. Eddy currents are created by a process called electromagnetic induction. When alternating current is applied to a conductor, such as copper wire, a magnetic field is created in and around the conductor. The magnetic field that is produced expands as the alternating current rises to it's maximum and collapses as the current is reduced to zero. When another conductor is brought near constantly changing magnetic field, current will be induced into second conductor.
Eddy currents are induced electrical currents that flow in a circular path. Any obstruction of the eddy currents ,such as a crack or edge of the test piece, will cause a deflection in the meter. The eddy current test method can detect cracks, measure material thickness, measure coating thickness, and find the conductivity value of materials.
Ultrasonic Testing
Ultrasonic testing (UT) uses sound energy to look for flaws and dimensional factors such as material thickness. Sound waves are introduced into the material by a transducer. When there is a discontinuity (such as a crack) in the wave path, part of the energy will be reflected back from the flaw surface. The reflected wave signal is transformed into an electrical signal by the transducer and is displayed on a screen.
Ultrasonic testing is on of the most commonly used inspection methods used in the field. It is a form of non-destructive testing used in many industries including aerospace, automotive and other transportation sectors.
Infrared and Thermal Testing
Thermographic inspection refers to the nondestructive testing of parts, materials or systems through the imaging of the thermal patterns at the object's surface.
Infrared thermography is a non-destructive, non-intrusive, non-contact mapping of thermal patterns or "thermograms", on the surface of objects. An infrared thermographic scanning system can measure and view temperature patterns based upon temperature differences as small as a few hundredths of a degree Celsius. Infrared thermographic testing may be performed during day or night, depending on environmental conditions and the desired results.
A typical application for IR Thermographic equipment is looking for “hot spots” in electrical equipment, which illustrates high resistance areas in electrical circuits. These “hot spots” are usually measured in the range of 40 °C to 150 °C (70 to 270 °F) above ambient temperatures.
AD compliance is not the only inspections we perform, we can and will perform any and all Non Destructive Testing needs you may have, even if it is for your own peace of mind.
We have Beechcraft certified inspectors that can perform the SIRM inspections on Beechcraft products.
If X-Ray, Ultrasonic, or Infrared inspections are required we can facilitate that for your company.
Wing Spar Inspections
We have staff that are Beech certified to do the SIRM wing spar inspections and have FAA approval to do Thrush wing spar inspections. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact us today.
Cadmium Plating
Cadmium plating is another one of the specialized services we offer at Trinity Specialized Services. Electroplated Cadmium is a corrosion resistant cyanide coating. Cadmium is a soft white metal that functions as a sacrificial coating that corrodes before the surface of the “part” itself. The electroplating process deposits 0.0050 inch of cadmium on ferrous parts. To enhance the corrosion protection of cadmium plating chromate conversion coatings can be applied over the plated metal. This is also how the different colors of plated cadmium are achieved. Once the metal is plated, these parts are then baked to relieve any hydrogen embrittlement that may occur. It is only after the baking process that these parts then go through the chromate conversion (either gold or clear). We perform the cadmium plating process in accordance with the QQ-P-416 specifications. Cadmium plating offers an exceptional bonding surface, and is the preferred coating for salt-water environments. Additional advantages of cadmium plating include: low electrical resistance; outstanding conductivity; superior solderablility; favorable galvanic coupling with aluminum; excellent natural lubricity, which results in prevention of galling and a low coefficient of friction. This is especially useful in applications where components will be repeatedly disassembled and reassembled, such as in scheduled maintenance of aircraft. We offer a plating service for all industries, except for the food handling industry. Due to Cadmium’s toxic nature it is strictly prohibited from all food-handling applications.
Mid America can handle all of your plating needs. Please feel free to contact a plating technician today. Call 870-615-2297.
