Linkedin Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube

Identify aircraft corrosion, Evaluate it, Avoid it, Fix it.

The inevitable risk of metal corrosion eventually affects every aircraft. Corrosion can lead to expensive repairs and prolonged downtime if it is not monitored or handled.

Request a Quote Today!

Types of Aircraft Corrosion and Where to Find It:

  • Stress corrosion - Usually happens in metal parts that are under a lot of stress, like landing gear or engine crankshafts. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is typically used to identify it.
  • Filiform corrosion - Causes bubbling and flaking on metal surfaces and shows up as small, worm-like lines under the paint. found via NDT and ocular examination.
  • Surface corrosion - It is detected by visual inspection.
  • Different Metal Corrosion - Detected by ocular examination.
  • Exfoliation Corrosion - Detected via ocular examination.
  • Chemical-Induced Corrosion - Often linked to bacterial growth, this type of corrosion occurs in places like battery storage and laboratories. discovered using visual and NDT examinations.
  • Intergranular corrosion - Affects alloys in the 7000 family, like wing spars and stringers. This kind of corrosion is hard to spot, and once it is, the damaged metal is typically irreparable. NDT techniques can be used to obtain early detection.
Check out this AMT story about JAX Aero and airplane corrosion!

Corrosion is a growing hazard as aircraft get older. Particularly vulnerable are aircraft flying in humid regions like Florida. In order to save repair costs and downtime, all aircraft, regardless of location, should have routine inspections by specialists trained to identify corrosion in its early stages. Aluminum components frequently have a grayish-white appearance, whereas ferrous metals usually have a reddish coloring. Fuel tanks, lab spaces, control hinges, battery boxes, and any unpainted parts of the aircraft are important spots to check.

Request a Quote Today!

Both prevention and repair are crucial.

Having skilled workers who can see rust early on lowers repair costs and downtime. An airplane must be cleaned on a regular basis to avoid the accumulation of dirt and contaminants, which can hasten deterioration. It can also be slowed down by using corrosion inhibitor chemicals. When corrosion is found, repairs should be made by certified, highly skilled technicians who are knowledgeable about all kinds of aircraft. An analysis of FAA Advisory Circular 43-4B sheds light on the difficulties involved in controlling aircraft corrosion.