Martin Baxter wrote:

From a recent Masters thesis at my place of employment:

"Canadian Forces (CF) CF188 Hornet fighter aircraft have been plagued
with water ingress and related damages in the composite flight control
surfaces. Different Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspections such as
neutron radiology (which include neutron radiography and neutron
radioscopy), X-radiography, IR thermography and Ultrasonic testing, have
indicated various types and stages of failure in the graphite/epoxy skin
and aluminum honeycomb core. Water ingress is considered to be the
origin of damage such as corrosion, delamination and disbond, and is
found predominately in rudders; hence, water ingress detection in
rudders is of foremost importance and is the focus of this study.


Has anybody studied how the water ingresses in the first
place? Seems like delam & disbonding of rudders could be a
pretty big problem.

Inquiring minds want to know, especially those of us with a
personal interest in carbon fiber boats!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King