Jul 26 2006
Material Technologies, Inc. has identified significant need and wide potential application for its patented metal fatigue detection technology in the aviation industry. Matech's innovative Fatigue Fuse can be used by aircraft manufacturers, commercial airlines, general aviation companies and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) providers to track the accumulation of metal fatigue in aircraft structures over time.
Matech's patented Fatigue Fuse is an advanced testing device that can be attached to a structural member to count severe load cycles, gauge fatigue damage and estimate the remaining life of the structure. By applying the Fatigue Fuse to aircraft components including wing, tail, fuselage and especially the intersection between wing and fuselage, aviation engineers can improve maintenance, repair and overhaul efforts, make better decisions based on accurate load information, prevent catastrophic structural failure, and ensure the safety of passengers and cargo.
"More than 90% of all structural cracks in aircraft involve fatigue," said Matech CEO Robert M. Bernstein. "Our groundbreaking Fatigue Fuse technology can count severe load cycles and measure their cumulative effects to predict how long an aircraft's wing or tail will retain its structural integrity."
Mr. Bernstein continued: "The Fatigue Fuse has been tested by a leading British commercial and military aircraft manufacturer with excellent results. We believe our advanced nondestructive metal fatigue detection solutions are a perfect fit for the aviation industry and we are initiating a campaign to capitalize on the tremendous opportunity we have identified."
The Fatigue Fuse is a completely passive device, comprising a series of fingers extending from a base. The ends of the fingers and the base are each adhered to the structural element being monitored, so they are subjected to the same strains as the structural element. The fingers are designed to separate (fail) at a fraction of the design life, for example at 20, 40, and 60%.
About Material Technologies, Inc. Matech is an engineering, research and development company specializing in technologies to measure microscopic fractures and flaws in metal structures and monitor metal fatigue in real time. The company's leading edge metal fatigue detection, measurement and monitoring solutions can accurately test the integrity of metal structures and equipment including bridges, railroads, airplanes, ships, cranes, power plants, mining equipment, piping systems and heavy iron.
Matech owns the only non-destructive testing technology able to find growing cracks as minute as 0.01 inches -- critical information that allows structural engineers to isolate and repair the more than 100,000 steel bridges in the U.S. which have been classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete by the Federal Highway Administration. Matech has exclusive rights to seven patents along with $8.3 million in already completed contracts from the US Government for research, testing and validation of its innovative solutions.
http://www.matechcorp.com