The Utilisation of Reinforced Plastics in the Wessex Helicopter to Prevent Corrosion

MAGNESIUM metal with its low density high strength and stiffness properties is a material which is used extensively in the Wessex helicopter for castings, forgings, and in sheet form in the skin stringer constructed fuselage. Extensive utilisation of these aircraft has shown that a corrosion hazard is present with this material in the fuselage application. Accidental damage, mis‐use and normal wear and tear removes the carefully applied organic protection permitting moisture to come into contact with the non‐protected metal, with the result that corrosive conditions are generated and it is found that in the non‐accessible areas, intensive corrosion damage occurs and it is not discovered in time for remedial action and the efficiency of the structure and airframe is impaired.