Warning of unseen corrosion to stored components

Warning of unseen corrosion to stored components

Keywords Aerospace,Corrosion, Power Plastics, Storage

There is evidence of increasing concern in industry circles about insidious damage to aircraft and aerospace components left in unsuitable long-term storage environments.

The problem has been highlighted by Thirsk-based Power Plastics Limited who report an increased demand for their "mini-enclosure" and "clean room" constructions where storage conditions can be carefully controlled over considerable lengths of time.

These self-contained environments are made from strong, flexible plastic material and can be custom-built to any specification.

They are lightweight and easy to erect for ease of use in hangars or storage areas.

Closures are zip-sealed with gas-tight zips to allow frequent access without compromising the conditions within and further fine tuning of the storage environment is facilitated by the optional fitting of relative humidity controllers.

These versatile enclosures are already in use to house such diverse items as industrial turbines, rotors and, in one case, an entire light aircraft.

Others have been used to contain the emissions from essential maintenance and repair work such as welding without contaminating the surrounding environment.

Large-scale, flexible clean rooms have been produced for clients in both the aerospace and nuclear power industries with dimensions big enough to contain racking. This allows for the storage of many sensitive components all together in one room, a far better alternative to the previous method of individually storing each component in a desiccant sack.

Power Plastics managing director, David Price, comments: "There is definitely an increased awareness about gradual damage to sensitive components caused simply by open storage in hangars and warehouses. Long-term effects of humidity, dust and excessive temperature changes are costing the industry a great deal of money. People are now realising the cost-effectiveness of using controlled enclosures rather than,say, desiccant-filled bags or containers."

Details from Power Plastics, Tel: +44 (0)1845 525503; Fax +44 (0)1845 525485;e-mail info@powerplastics.co.ukWeb page: http://www.powerplastics.co.uk