Maintainability Improvement Through Corrosion Prediction
Abstract
In 1994, the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) reported that "Corrosion is the single most costly maintenance problem for USAF aging aircraft." In 1997, the National Materials Advisory Board (NMAB) investigated the aging of USAF aircraft and reported that "corrosion can progress significantly before being observed, leading to increased maintenance costs and time in PDM (Programmed Depot Maintenance)". These concerns are recognized by the USAF in having identified the C/KC-135 aircraft as being life limited by corrosion with respect to life cycle cost sustainment of the fleet (the first fleet identified in this manner). The NAMAB stated in its recommendations for the USAF, the "most important operational needs include...improved understanding of probable rates of corrosion and corrosion trends for specific operational aircraft for use in planning maintenance actions". The overall objective of this effort was to assess the possibility of developing corrosion damage formation and growth models to assist in prediction corrosion maintenance actions (inspection and repair) on aluminum airframe structure. The assessment involved a review and evaluation of corrosion research and available data for the purpose of identifying or proposing corrosion formation and growth models. The corrosion research and available data considered under this effort included current research efforts directed at airframe corrosion damage formation and growth, USAF corrosion maintenance programs, aircraft basing history information, fleet maintenance data (inspection reports and repair orders), and airbase corrosion severity indices. Two model types emerged as possible frame works to predict the location and severity of corrosion occurrences. First, a model based on aircraft historical trends using statistical models of historical corrosion repair records to predict near term corrosion damage trends. Second, a model based on corrosion damage mechanics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA360253
Entities
People
- D. E. Tritsch
- H. J. Konish
Organizations
- University of Dayton