AIRFRAME MAINTENANCE and CORROSION PROTECTION Available to Purchase

Introduction The most reliable method of protection yet used internally on aircraft structures and proved in world wide service over periods in excess of ten years and thirty thousand flying hours is the application at the component stage of chemically‐resistant paints to suitably prepared surfaces. Primer and top coat are applied before assembly, each coat being separately stoved to ensure maximum chemical resistance. Subsequent assembly using polysulphide or chromate interfaying materials produces a situation that could be described as perfect. Inspection for corrosion should, on the basis of this argument, no longer be necessary. This is obviously not true as local imperfections, the inevitable damage during service and maintenance, spillage of aggressive fluids, etc. all produce conditions conducive to the onset of corrosion. Even in a well protected airframe, therefore, small pockets of significant corrosion can occur with time and can be randomly positioned.