Environmental Study of External Aircraft Fuel Tanks Stored in Rigid Polyurethane Foam,

Abstract

External aircraft fuel tanks were foamed-in-place by Sacramento ALC for the purpose of testing totally encapsulated items. Four tanks were received by the Air Force Packaging Evaluation Agency (AFPEA) and subjected to the aggressive saline atmosphere and severe weathering environment at an Eglin AFB test station located on the Gulf of Mexico. Although the tanks had been transported and stored outside in open wooden crates, and more recently in improved galvanized slotted angle steel framework, for extended periods of time, approximately 20% of the assembled tanks were corroding, leaving much room for improvement. This study indicated that the method of encapsulating the items in polyurethane foam is not only more cost effective but shows marked improvement in corrosion resistance and affords physical protection as well.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA021200

Entities

People

  • John A. Hincks

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Atmospheres
  • Corrosion
  • Corrosion Resistance
  • Environment
  • Fuel Tanks
  • Packaging
  • Polyurethanes
  • Resistance
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Weathering

Readers

  • Materials Science
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.