An Assessment to Determine If Aircraft Cleaners Induce Corrosion within Fastener Hole Galvanic Systems

Abstract Recently, field exposures of simulated aircraft systems resulted in unexpected findings of painting bubbling and material degradation around fastener/fastener hole systems. Based on the experimental conditions associated with these findings, it was assessed that the application of ready-to-use (RTU) cleaners may have acted as a corrosion accelerating agent. To assess this risk, multiple types of RTU cleaners were assessed through electrochemical testing to determine if currently qualified cleaners were potentially driving material degradation. Along with assessing the risk for unexpected material degradation, the team was able to develop a rank order of products in suppressing corrosion even after saltwater contamination in the soap solution.