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Development of Corrosion Test to Predict or Rank Corrosion Performance of Current and Novel Corrosion Inhibiting Sealants, Both Conductive and Non-Con
Title: Principal Investigator
Phone: (512) 263-2101
Email: rrushing@tri-austin.com
Title: Contracts Administrator
Phone: (512) 263-2101
Email: mfellingham@tri-austin.com
Sealants are critical aerospace materials that require well-defined performance and lifetime characteristics. They perform multiple functions on aircraft but one of the more important functions is for prevention of corrosion. Some sealant application areas are expected to last the lifetime of the aircraft after application. The qualification test methods currently used to determine corrosion protection provided by a sealant do not accurately predict the lifetimes of sealant products and no corrosion test for conductive sealants has been shown to correlate well with field performance. In fact, the current qualification tests age test specimens for the equivalent of less than one year of service based on the acceleration factors for humidity and temperature. TRI/Austin, Inc. and UDRI propose the development of a new corrosion test protocol that will enable determinations of corrosion resistance imparted by sealants on metal substrates. New test specimens will also be developed that will provide a more rapid and more sensitive measure of the corrosion protection provided by sealants and conductive gap-fillers. While this work specifically targets sealant exposures, the outcomes will be applicable to other aircraft corrosion control materials.
* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *