Essay 9 Corrosion Removal and Reprotection Preparation 1.

Position the aircraft in an area with washing facilities for rapid rinsing of surfaces. 2. The battery must be removed in case corrosion is in that area. 3. The pitot static heads, static vents and engine openings should be covered. 4. The area adjacent to the work area should be protected. 5. Bond the aircraft to the ground 6. Refer the Structural Repair Manual. Precautions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Barrier cream must be rubbed on the hands. Food should not be kept in the work area. Use PVC gloves, protective goggles etc., Work in a ventilated area an avoid prolonged breathing of solvent / acid vapours. All equipment must be cleaned after work. Wash away any harmful material from body or clothing. Always keep access to clean water and eye irrigator bottles. Do not dispose chemicals via surface drainage system. Local Regulations must be adhered to at all times.

Degreasing and paint removal 1. The degreasing solvents and their application should adhere to the aircraft maintenance manual. 2. An approved non-flammable paint stripper should be brushed onto the aircraft skin, left for some time and the softened paint should be scraped off with a non-metallic scraper along with any traces of the stripper. Mechanical removal of corrosion products All visible and hidden corrosion must be removed leaving a smooth and uncontaminated surface. Blending should not result in cracking or bring about thermal damage. 1. Rapid should be within the specified limits mentioned in the SRM. 2. Scotchbrite pads, Aluminum wool, abrasive papers and vacu-blast can be used on clad aluminum alloy sheets, castings, magnesium alloys and steel. 3. Carbide tipped scrapers can be used on surfaces other than Aluminum.

Chemical removal of corrosion products 1. Thickened phosphoric acid ( Deoxidine ) is used on aluminum and steel having tensile strength up to 1000 N/mm2. It is brushed onto the corroded area for 5 to 20 minutes before being wiped off. 2. Lightly corroded magnesium can be cleaned by swabbing with a solution of 10% by weight of chromic acid and 0.1% by volume of sulphuric acid in water. 3. Alkaline-based removers can be used on steel with tensile strength above 1000 N/mm2. 4. All the surfaces should be wiped, washed with water and then dried thoroughly. Reprotection 1. The Brush Alocrom 1200 process is used for Aluminum and Magnesium alloys. 2. Cadmium plated steel parts should be replated according to the manufacturers instructions. 3. Any corrosion repair on stainless steel, nickel and titanium based alloys should be made with reference to the SRM.