CORROSION AND CORROSION CONTROL OF SELECTED FIELD PROBLEMS

This paper will present for consideration some factors contributing to corrosion problems which were derived and surmised from experience gained the hard way on helicopters in the field. It is intended to provide a perspective of the subject theme as projected from an operational point of view. Thus, while it may refer to some aspect of the design role in the corrosion equation, the intended focus is on corrosion resolution in the field by the operator. The fact is that thirty years ago helicopters with magnesium structure, skins, and even main structural components in the main rotor head lived aboard aircraft carriers. That they survived in that environment with less travail than most contemporary helicopters could do today is part of what this paper is about. Current and projected advances in materials and construction as well as the experience gained from 40 years of helicopter operation in every part of the world, on land and sea in every climate, has produced an enormous wealth of knowledge, processes and techniques for effective corrosion prevention. So much knowledge and experience is at hand that corrosion problems should be nothing more than an occasional anomaly. However, something(s) must be lacking or overlooked because effective corrosion prevention has frequently not kept pace with advances in other areas even in regard to the use of materials which have been at hand for those same 40 years. Causitive factors contributing to today's corrosion problems which were learned during field operations, as well as the attributes and use of a rather unique corrosion prevention compound for field use, are presented.