SEALANT TESTING FOR AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS

摘要

Embodiments described herein provide apparatus and a method for simulating a mechanical stress applied to a sealant (206) from a lightning strike upon an aircraft. One embodiment comprises a specimen (204), a test fixture (210), and a capacitor (212). The specimen (204) comprises an electrically non-conductive sealant (206) for an aircraft fuel tank having a cylindrical shape, and an electrically conductive wire (208) centered axially within the sealant (206). The test fixture (210) secures the specimen (204) during testing. The capacitor (212) is electrically coupled to the test fixture (210), and simulates a lightning strike upon the aircraft by vaporizing the wire (208) with a current to generate a mechanical shock to the sealant (206).