Composite or bonded hardware classified as NFC require activities (detailed below) to be performed and then documented in the FCSR in addition to the other activities for the specific NFC category.
[FCR 9] NFC composite or bonded parts that satisfy requirements for classification in a specific category in sections 6.1 and 6.2 in this NASA Technical Standard shall also comply with all of the following items:
- a. For parts classified as NFC low risk, develop the following:
- (1) A DTA in accordance with section 7.4.1 in this NASA Technical Standard.
- (2) An IDMP in accordance with section 7.4.2 in this NASA Technical Standard.
- (3) An RTD in accordance with section 7.4.3 in this NASA Technical Standard.
- b. For NFC parts not classified as low risk, perform the following:
- (1) Define and quantify the flaws from any source that may occur to the hardware during its service life, considering all applicable flaw detection and mitigation strategies that are implemented for the flight hardware.
- (2) Develop an IDMP in accordance with section 7.4.2 in this NASA Technical Standard.
- c. Perform NDE after completion of all manufacturing processes (or after proof test, if a proof test is performed) in accordance with section 8.1.2 in this NASA Technical Standard, with the following clarifications:
- (1) No NDE is required for NFC low-released mass parts.
- (2) No NDE is required for NFC contained parts.
NASA-STD-5019A w/CHANGE 4
No NDE is required because there is no credible catastrophic hazard for these two specific categories.
- d. Meet the traceability requirement of section 8.2 in this NASA Technical Standard [FCR 21].
- e. Meet the material selection and usage requirement of section 8.3 in this NASA Technical Standard [FCR 22].
[Rationale: Parts classified as NFC that also contain composite or bonded materials need additional precautions to provide mitigation for undetected damage. These parts can be classified as NFC.]
Use of an alternative approach requires unique rationale and approval by the RFCB as described in section 10 [FCR 26] in this NASA Technical Standard.
The assessments in sections 7.4.1 and 7.4.2 in this NASA Technical Standard rely on NDE and material controls, including traceability requirements as prescribed in section 8 in this NASA Technical Standard to address hazards.
Traceability for NFC composite or bonded parts is somewhat unique relative to NFC metallic parts. While metallic parts usually have a specification for providing minimum properties throughout the part, composite or bonded parts are composed of elements that may have specifications, but the properties after combination of these elements are often unique to the hardware being produced.
NASA-STD-5001 requires a proof test for all composite or bonded structures.