Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
4. ULUSLARARASI BİLİMSEL ÇALIŞMALAR KONGRESİ, Girne, Kıbrıs (Kktc), 8 - 10 Eylül 2023, ss.1-11
Honeycomb composite structures have gained significant popularity in the field of aviation
engineering, primarily owing to their advantageous properties such as reduced weight,
customizable rigidity and durability, exceptional resistance to fatigue, and cost-effective
manufacturing methods. Strength/weight ratios of these structures, which consist of cells in the
form of honeycombs, are quite high when compared to other metallic materials. For this reason,
honeycomb composite structures are preferred in the structure of main flight controls such as
rudder and elevator in aircraft. However, failures that may occur in these structures may
adversely affect flight safety. Water formation in honeycomb structures is undesirable. Because
airplanes see negative temperature values during flight phases. The temperature value is
approximately -50°C. The water ingressed inside the honeycomb composite structure will
freeze and an increase in volume will occur. This will cause damage to the structure over time.
In this study, the presence of water in the rudder, which is one of the main control surfaces of
the aircraft, was checked by thermography method. As a result of the control, it was seen that
the area of the water detected in the hoist point on the left side of the rudder was above the
allowable limit. A repair area of 185x185 was created to include the area with water. The
honeycomb structure containing water was removed and replaced with a new one. As a result
of this repair, the water ingressed inside the honeycomb composite structure was completely
cleaned. It was determined that the water was completely removed by checking with a thermal
camera again.