Objectives:

• To identify the critical aging mechanisms for aircraft wiring
  

• To develop a reliable test method for assessing the aged state of aircraft wire
  
  
• To develop predictive models to describe the degradation of wire insulation
  
  
  

Approach:

• Development of an impedance spectroscopy technique that could be used as an in situ test method for intact wiring
  
  
• This work is being supplemented by standard characterizations methods, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
  
  
• Naturally aged and laboratory aged wires are being evaluated
  
  
• Identification of the primary aging mechanisms as well as suitable nondestructive testing techniques are underway
  
  
• Results will help define the impact of aging factors on wire insulation and provide tools to predict and detect critical degredation levels

Products:

• Methods for characterization of wiring for use in prediction and detection of critical degradation levels.