Avionics Corrosion: Moisture Is The Enemy. Theres a lot of emphasis on airframe corrosion, yet owners and technicians rarely consider the corrosion that plagues avionicsa system that can be more susceptible than the airframe. Aircraft corrosion is a perennial problem and will continue to be problematic as long as metals continue to be used in aircraft construction. The anodes and cathodes are quite small and constantly shift from one area of the surface to another. Potential areas of research are . Corrosion is one of the greatest enemies of aircraft owners. Control Cables - should be inspected to determine their condition at each inspection period. The rate of corrosion of a galvanic pair is a function of the difference between the reactivity of the metals. If youve never done this, its a chore that can be simple or almost impossible, depending how tightly the radios are stacked. /ca 1.0 As mentioned above, these areas. Its almost a definite chance for eventual corrosion due to water intrusion around the base. Porous gold plating on copper contacts is a common location for pitting corrosion. x\{\WE "Ynh$ZVJl-5L,_i#]K%2+E]3%0@s}{'s3g^7h))),S{;}xtn{ [T#=cM ?mjk/|j=~`rUc_ZA 'yXCUrp3ZjpyV\vV~dcga[Pc~/'f6sUl"kX|V-gqX%TVk"yX8OYmy'/J^ 8i$n|Ue 'K5 Fr)ZT2-}Z&WTZy:h5\xI%^+@ZuTuJm+_P#D These other metals have a different corrosion potential than the primary metal. There is more than one face to corrosion and many types can grow on avionics equipment, depending on the environment, the material and the location within the airframe. What is judge James Edwards' party affiliation? Corrosion prone areas in an aircraft are exhaust trail areas, battery compartments and battery vent openings, bilge areas (sumps for waste hydraulic fluid, water, etc. The service requires full JavaScript support in order to view this website. Electrochemical attacks are the second type of corrosion that can occur on an aircraft. Where you store your airplane is important. Today, were sharing tips for detecting corrosion through visual inspections. Types of corrosion normally found on aircraft include: Uniform surface attack. Even if a. Certain areas of the aircraft are more susceptible to corrosion due to their operating conditions. many of these areas will get a special treatment of CPC (Corrosion Preventitve Compound) to help extend the life in these areas. Pay special attention to areas damaged paint areas around rivet heads and in skin lap joints and other crevices. A highly magnified view of a metal surface shows individual grains. If youve ever chased a VOR reception problem, the culprit was likely corrosion built up on the antenna system. Chances are if theres sizable corrosion, the antenna has seen better days. Clean these areas frequently and keep the paint touched up. << The farther apart two metals are on the galvanic series chart, the faster the active (anode) metal will corrode in the presence of the electrolyte. Refer to your aircrafts maintenance manual for information on possible corrosion-prone areas. If external corrosion is evident, relieve tension and check the cable for internal corrosion. Even though some avionics have internal fans, its the buildup of standing heat that does the expensive damage in hot-weather ops. . I purchased it in Jan 2011 and it has been through 3 annuals so far and two of them at a MSC since I've purchased it. Left untreated, corrosion can hasten other conditions that will eventually cause structural failure. Some believe its better than nothing because heat can be a real problem for avionics reliability, even for otherwise modern equipment. While you probably wont easily spot corrosion that forms under an antenna, there are some clues. Along the grain boundaries of the primary metal are individual grains of the metallic elements that make up the alloy. Many shops prefer the Sandia/Garmin models because they are FAA and PMA approved, eliminating the need for a silly field approval. It had the Corrosion X treatment every other year during that time. Bilge Areas. Thats because outside ram cooling is useless when the aircraft is stationary, like when youre sitting in a baking runup area waiting for clearance on a 90-degree day. from the inside of the metal, called inter granular corrosion. A farmer has 19 sheep All but 7 die How many are left? These inaccessible areas presently require periodic inspection, regardless of whether corrosion damage has taken place or not. Culprits include water intrusion, fungal growth and UV light damage. If you see a lot of black streaks coming from a panel, you pull the panel off and look. This is the most common type and is caused simply by exposing the metal to oxygen in the air,. What areas of an aircraft are prone to corrosion? Both types are susceptible to the effects of corrosion, especially if . Figure 4.4.31: Regions of the Aircraft Susceptible to Corrosion ( AGARD-AG-278, 1985) Engine exhaust trail areas b. Areas of aircraft commonly damaged by corrosion include the wheel wells and landing gear, battery compartments and battery vent openings, wing flaps, engine frontal areas, and the propeller. . What is the mood and tone for the tale of tonyo the brave? Corrosion Prone Areas And Preventative Maintenance 3.1 General 3.2 Exhaust Trail Areas 3.3 Battery Compartments And Battery Vent Openings 3.4 Lavatories, Buffets, And Galleys 3.5 Bilge Areas 3.6 Wheel Wells And Landing Gear 3.7 External Skin Areas 3.8 Water Entrapment Areas Many components, including Garmin and BendixKing radios, require a 3/32 hex wrench to loosen the locking mechanism, which is accessed on the bezel. Any evidence of weeping or discoloration from the base of the antenna to where it meets the fuselage is a sign to check further for corrosion. Aircraft Corrosion Prone Areas: set 2-Galley -Lavatory -wheels/ well area -landing gear. All corrosion is bad and if not /BitsPerComponent 8 Corrosion can start . 9.7 Corrosion Prone Areas on Aircraft Study Ref 1, 7 11 9.7.1 Describe the following corrosion prone areas, the likely types of corrosion found in these areas, and the probable causes: a. One of the most common factors to cause corrosion on an aircraft is foreign material such as dust, oil, grease, water, battery acids, cleaning solutions and flux residue. This attack requires a medium, usually water, which can conduct a tiny current of electricity. The battery vent openings and compartments are known as the most corrosion-prone spaces of aircraft. The best defense is offense. Many corrosion prone areas of CF aircraft are difficult and hence costly to inspect. During daily or preflight inspections, check all easily accessible areas of the aircraft for signs of damage. Additionally, certain aircraft models may have corrosion-prone trouble spots to be aware of. vvVkV#cvBoA1MVS+lR;{Y#pf2ATKo0 %$iImC[Fo]EhT/tW]{ 0i("H'lr O(=Csrn@lGVc2GK_L2gr>VWQ4$3Y@6[_A3Pzd:Tt!{. Clean it with MEK and apply zinc chromate. While other aging mechanisms, such as wear and fatigue, are somewhat predictable and can be addressed by the airline maintenance programs to preclude major structural problems, corrosionespecially in its localized formsis very difficult to predict and detect. Remove and inspect fairings and access 5. www.aviationpros.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. More than one shop told us its seeing more avionics corrosion when it opens up panels for major retrofits. In only a few years, this problem can render a plane "unairworthy." As a general preventive measure, therefore, corrosion . /CA 1.0 The water in these area's - replace it and go on. De-painting the aircraft uncovers and exposes the surface so they can make repairs as needed to the aircraft." Once de-painted, the aircraft undergoes PDM and is returned to corrosion control to be painted, completing the PDM process. ~ Galvanic, SCC, Pitting, Exfoliation, Crevice, Corrosion Fatigue, Embrittlement, Fretting. You dont have to tear the radio stack apart to catch corrosion, although accessing the wiring and connectors is a good idea, especially if the aircraft hasnt seen an avionics upgrades in a while. Some areas of the aircraft (especially the tail) are essentially in a constant bath of moisture and dirt, which promotes corrosion. Weve seen installations where the antenna wasnt even sealed. If theres any doubt of your ability, grab an avionics tech for help. 4 0 obj Youve seen this before, although you might have to dig (teardown is the official word in shop talk) to find it on some avionics components. In many cases, the only way youll be able to properly inspect the system is to remove inspection plates and tail fairings and look for signs of moisture intrusion and resulting corrosion. Currently, there are more than 200 . Some metal oxides protect the underlying base metal, but rust is not a protective coating in any sense of the word. ), wheel well and landing gear, wing flap and spoiler recesses, external skin, and the engine front and cooling air vents. Like preventing the spread of cancer, inspection is the best way to catch corrosion in avionics before it gets out of hand. US Government Aircraft Corrosion Prone Areas Programmed Instruction . These are just a few examples of corrosion that attack electrical components in the aircraft and none are good. Type IV is intended for use to prevent corrosion in corrosion prone areas. Sandia also makes a large-capacity five-port model. 8 . As an example, in tropical coastal areas with high corrosion rates, ACF-50 has proven to be an effective anti-corrosion treatment with a nominal re-application interval of 24 months. but high-pressure enough to reach exposed steel, hinges, actuators, gear bays and other corrosion-prone areas. Corrosion prone areas Many areas of the aircraft structure are more vulnerable to corrosive effects than others. Weve seen some awful antenna installations done with shortcuts and poor prep work that invite corrosion down the road. Corrosion prone areas in an aircraft are exhaust trail areas, battery compartments and battery vent openings, bilge areas (sumps for waste hydraulic fluid, water, etc. These are not the only areas at risk - all regions of the aircraft may corrode. Understanding the effects of corrosion. Left undetected and untreated, corrosion will deteriorate an aircrafts structure or parts, leading to safety hazards and expensive repairs. All parts of an aeroplane are subject to corrosion all the time. Plus, it hardly provides enough airflow to properly move stagnant air away from the radios. Similar to any other metal objects, aircraft are prone to corrosion. After all, theyre right in the technicians hands, which is the best time to change them. Propeller corrosion can be particularly insidious, occurring on the surface of the blade itself or hidden within the propeller hub. This process is automatic. Once detected, corrosion should be taken seriously and addressed quickly to avoid frustrating and costly repairs. What is t he story all about the crown jewels of heezenhurst by Sylvia mendez ventura? Knowing which areas are prone to corrosion and the methods of prevention. >> Use caution when reinstalling the radios because with some equipment its easy to bend a contact pin when you slide the radio back into the mounting rack. Many avionics units have an air fitting on the mounting rack designed for mating with a cooling hose. The bilge areas of the plane collect waste hydraulic fluids, water, dirt, dust and other debris, which can lead to corrosion and other forms of aircraft damage. Significant maintenance and inspection efforts and costs could be saved, if the severity of corrosion could be determined . endobj www.aviationpros.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. If the base gasket is deteriorated or the silicone seal is compromised the antenna should be removed, any corrosion treated and the antenna replaced. Conducting frequent inspections will enable you to treat or remove corrosion before it causes extensive damage. Keeping drain holes free of obstructions plates in the exhaust areas. Other problem areas include RF antenna connectors and also grounding straps, which are placed around the airframe. 6 0 obj In geographic regions with high humidity, acid rain, or . Damage aside, its hardly effective cooling. Used to determine if a battery spill has been properly neutralized. More on that in a minute. There are also incremental inspections done. 6) Its characterized by a buildup of corrosion deposits on the mating active (anoxic) surface. Corrosion prone areas should be cleaned, inspected, and treated more frequentlythan less corrosion prone areas. Grounding straps electrically join control surfaces to the fuselage. [/Pattern /DeviceRGB] 2 . Some of the most vulnerable surfaces - beyond those inside aircraft engines - are fuel tanks, fuel and hydraulic lines. . Thats why its important to make sure the avionics cooling system is in top shape. Litmus Paper Test. Obviously every aircraft is going to have some areas of corrosion and it's important to keep after them as they creep up. The most common is surface corrosion and it results from a direct chemical attack on a metal surface. /Subtype /Image Hangar your airplane or use cabin covers. endobj There are many types of corrosion. Battery Compartments and Battery Vent Openings. Trained mechanics use special equipment to reach all compartments and difficult-to-access areas of the aircraft. Worth mentioning is that even nonmetallic materials can be subject to corrosion. This includes contact pins on radio connectors, antenna RF connectors (and the hidden skin at the base of the antennaa real disaster in the making) and components that reside under the floor, inside the wing root and inside of radios. %PDF-1.4 Call our phone number (701-282-7782) to speak with a member of our team. Be sure to give extra attention to corrosion-prone areas, including the landing gear and any joints, gaps, or hinges, and consider treating the aircraft with corrosion inhibitor products. PMIC . /Type /XObject To look for and repair defective areas. When did Ariana grande lose her virginity? Inspect cables for corrosion by random cleaning of short sections with solvent soaked cloths. External Surfaces. Continued attack is followed by roughness and a frosty or powdered surface. Many products claim to protect and seal the battery compartments and vent. Pitting corrosion can be found on thin sheets of metal such as plated printed circuit board (PCB) paths, where the attack can be so severe that perforation of the plated PCB paths can occur. Water cooling is a tongue-in-cheek shop term we used for avionics cooling systems fed by outside ram air. perfect, the corrosion begins, and aluminum will disintegrate very Most aircraft systems are vulnerable to corrosion during periods of extended inactivity. If theres any give or hint of looseness you should dig deeper, which includes inspecting the doubler plate. But the most damaging types of aircraft corrosion occur most often in the following aircraft parts: -Battery components and vent openings -Engine frontal areas -Wheel wells -Landing gear -Wing flaps -Propellers Metal propeller corrosion is especially harmful as it can occur on the surface of the blade itself or even within the propeller's hub. NA-01-1a-509 . /ColorSpace /DeviceGray Manufacturers wisely switched to surface-mounted circuit boards and modern designs that are engineered to draw less current, but radiant heat is the killer when it comes to longevity. stream The introduction of the latter completes the 'circuit,' which causes the transfer of electrons to create corrosion between the two metals. Other things that can corrode an airplane include cleaning solutions, dirt, grease, water, and dust. identify well over a dozen different types of corrosion that can attack an aircraft. Propeller corrosion can be particularly insidious, occurring on the surface of the blade itself or hidden within the propeller hub. Menu. Teardowns of high-life service aircraft and parts can also be valuable tools to help identify corrosion-prone areas and relative severity of the corrosion. The most com- sen for use in aircraft structures are a studied com- mon agents causing direct chemical attack on aircraft promise with strength, weight, corrosion resistance, are: (1) spilled battery acid or fumes from batteries; workability, and cost balanced against the structures (2) residual flux deposits resulting from inadequately needs. Corrosion of Aircraft Metals, Alloys and Treatment Corrosion of Ferrous Metals One of the most familiar types of corrosion is ferrous oxide (rust), generally resulting from atmospheric oxidation of steel surfaces. Intergranular corrosion is a chemical attack that occurs at the grain boundaries of a metal. We've been dedicated to revolutionizing corrosion control with Av-DEC HI-TAK Gaskets and Sealants for over 20 years. Like anything made of metal, an aircraft is prone to corrosion that often happens when an alloy reacts with other chemical elements or compounds such as oxygen, hydrogen, and battery acids. Once you have the radio in your hand, look closely at the RF antenna connections on the back, also paying close attention to the main connectorswhich are generally attached to PCBs inside the chassis. /Producer ( Q t 4 . For aftermarket retrofit, Garmin markets the three-port GFC314/328 series, which are the ACF series made by Sandia Aerospace and move 25 cubic feet of air per minute. This causes the metal grains to separate at the grain boundaries due to the force of corrosive expansion. This chapter lists corrosion problem areas that are common to most aircraft. That might include some upgrades to the avionics cooling system and antennas. In the air, gear, wing flap and spoiler recesses, external skin, be. Of these factors can cause corrosion if left on the surface to another soaked Corrosion deposits on the surface to another could be saved, if the plane is aircraft corrosion prone areas! 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