PROBLEM
Corrosion is a perennial problem in the aircraft industry, and preventing corrosion is a critical factor in maintaining the integrity and safety of an aircraft vehicle. Left undetected and untreated, aircraft corrosion can quickly lead to potentially catastrophic vehicle failure.
Corrosion occurs when metal is exposed to oxygen and moisture. Corrosion risks increase with aircraft age or exposure to extreme moisture and harsh environments. Risks are as such:
- Corrosive chemicals or dissimilar metals can also initiate the corrosion process.
- Surface corrosion frequently occurs where metal is exposed, or paint has worn thin.
- Stress corrosion is a common problem for aircraft under tensile stress in corrosive environments.
Traditional coatings rely on sacrificial metals (zinc, chromates, aluminum) for inhibition. Due to the large particle size of these inhibitors, gaps exist which allow corrosion to start and eventually expand, causing coating failure
SOLUTION
Good corrosion preventive maintenance and early treatment are crucial strategies for protecting aircraft from corrosion failure.
Keeping a vehicle clean with corrosion inhibiting washes and storage methods helps protect aircraft from corrosion attack during regular use and storage. Sometimes rust removal may be needed before applying additional corrosion inhibitors, such as VpCI® primers and coatings, to an aircraft.
With Cortec® Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors (VpCIs) it is possible to slow the attack of corrosion on aircraft from multiple angles.
BENEFIT
Cortec® Nano VpCI® coatings use the patented VpCI® technology to protect the metal substrate with a tight bonding molecular structure. This system eliminates the gaps which occur with traditional inhibitors and prevents corrosion from starting. The application includes other benefits such as:
- Saves costly time and labor
- Offers complete package solutions for multi metal surfaces
- Protects against SCC (Stress Corrosion Cracking) and HE (Hydrogen Embrittlement) and prevents further corrosion of ferrous surfaces
- Requires little or no surface preparation
- Does not interfere with operation of mechanical components