The Importance of Testing Components for the Aerospace Industry

In September 2023, it was revealed that at least 68 jet engines across major U.S. airlines were fitted with unapproved, bogus parts. Fake turbine blades were revealed to be among the critical parts supplied by a third-party seller based in the United Kingdom.??

The investigation has uncovered fraudulent documentation and use of these parts in many older-generation aircraft. This discovery is generating serious questions about how these unapproved parts made their way into planes. Additionally, it raises critical red flags surrounding safety and the critical role testing plays in the aerospace industry.

Mechanical Testing for the Aerospace Industry?

Safety management is arguably among the aerospace industry's most critical functions. Preventing the loss of human life, injuries, and damage to properties and the environment requires a comprehensive approach. Safety strategies go far beyond operational measures. They must begin with reliable, genuine parts and components.??

The fatal accident rate improved by 0.11 sectors from 2021 to 2022, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). However, given the recent headlines, safety is under intense scrutiny along with the quality of components supplied to the industry. It also begs the question: Could this spate of bogus turbine blades have been avoided???

As Innovative Test Solutions can attest, the solution lies in rigorous testing. Sourcing parts is already a challenge, as many components have shorter lifespans than the systems and products used in the industry. However, safety is paramount, and using anything less than high-performing, genuine parts could put people and property in serious jeopardy.?

Accident Prevention?

The aerospace industry requires verification and thorough documentation for every component. The bogus parts in question were supplied for repairing the bestselling turbine in the world, the CFM56 engine, according to the findings of European regulators. The parts were sold based on fake documentation, which makes the durability and reliability of the parts’ performance significantly unknown.?

With no way of knowing if these parts actually underwent testing that averts disaster or even how they performed in any type of testing that was completed, these fake turbine blades pose a chilling safety risk. Fatigue testing, for example, examines materials' resistance under cyclic loading.??

ITS testing replicates the environment parts operate in under various conditions. Doing so provides insight into how materials will perform to help determine their safety and longevity. These details are critical for everything from maintenance to accident prevention.??

The absence of this data leaves the performance of uncertified parts in question, possibly with a cost that goes far beyond that of replacing the parts. Loss of human life, damage to property, and other safety concerns can decimate companies in this sector.?

Aerospace Materials Testing?

The supply chain is already challenging. Fake parts are a serious threat, not only to safety, but also to reliability and operators’ profitability and reputations. This recent reveal of fake turbine blades supplied to major carriers like Boeing, United, Delta, and Southwest, among others has sent shockwaves throughout the industry. The parts have been supplied to major aeronautical brands over the past few years, and those brands have used the parts to assemble new aircraft and complete necessary repairs and servicing.??

Strenuous testing aids in revealing poor quality components before they make their way into aircraft for use. Performing rigorous testing, including tensile stress testing, can provide critical data about yield strengths and materials' ability to withstand tension and compression while in use.??

The dangers of turbine blades failing in the extreme environments in which they are used are undeniable, and ignoring these dangers is a recipe for disaster and incalculable losses. Under heavy use, turbine blade failure can damage the engine casing or the fuselage. It can also lead to catastrophic engine failure. This all underscores the very real danger posed by bogus parts.??

Components That Require Testing?

All parts, components, and materials require stringent testing. Engines, turbines, thermal barrier coatings, and others must pass critical benchmarks. Qualification testing provides essential data that helps with planning maintenance, understanding the lifespan of the materials, and ultimately providing safe operation.?

Defining Parameters?

Parameters and standards are developed by organizations like the International Organization for Standardization, American Society for Testing and Materials, and Aerospace Industries Association. With the stringent requirements set forth, expert material testing services can provide specialized testing to validate components and materials and ensure authenticity, reliability, and safety.??

Aviation Safety?

Preventing critical failures and ensuring reliability is paramount to aviation safety. Measuring strain, understanding how materials will behave under various conditions, and verifying components are essential functions of aerospace testing. At the same time, instituting rigorous testing standards can help prevent fake parts from infiltrating the supply chain and enhance safety.

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Contact ITS to Learn More?

Turbine blades must be capable of withstanding the harshest environments, which is why the reveal of fake turbine blades in use among popular carriers is particularly shocking. ITS provides comprehensive aerospace testing services, with fatigue, tensile, and qualification testing, among others.??

Our expert team can build custom rigs to simulate the environment and conditions that parts and materials must endure. This allows us to generate high-quality, reliable data.

Contact ITS today to request a quote or to learn more about our industry-leading testing services.