Composites are Sh*t

[chubbee]

Why Composites are sh*t,
Say a highly stressed primary structural component which is a composite skinned nomex honeycomb assembly, has damage (core fracture/shift with one facing skin soft and audible noise/crinkle from core flex/damage with thumb pressure applied) to an area larger than MM limits. Unfortunately the damage is not detectable by the inspection method specified by the manufacturer, the mighty tap hammer.

As the specified insp method detects no flaw/void/disbond due to the core discontinuity/damage being deep enuff that there is no audible change/different tone when the tap hammer hits the damaged surface the Tech rep says no problem.

So, because the MM's method of insp fails to detect a flaw none officially exists per the manufacturer. Hello A310 rudder all over again.

Composites are Sh*t