Influence of pitting corrosion on structural integrity of aluminum alloys

Laura B. Simon; Mohammad Khobaib; Theodore E. Matikas; C. S. Jeffcoate; M. S. Donley

doi:10.1117/12.339861

8 February 1999 Influence of pitting corrosion on structural integrity of aluminum alloys

Laura B. Simon, Mohammad Khobaib, Theodore E. Matikas, C. S. Jeffcoate, M. S. Donley

Proceedings Volume 3585, Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Materials and Composites III; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.339861
Event: Nondestructive Evaluation Techniques for Aging Infrastructures and Manufacturing, 1999, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

In recent years, the US Air Force has focused attention on extending the life of its aging fleet. Consequently, the Air Force is concerned about a growing number of aging aircraft that require extensive maintenance. One of the main causes of aging aircraft failure is due to corrosion damage and fatigue of its aluminum alloy parts. Many parts of corrosion damage can affect the aluminum structures of an aircraft. In this paper, result on controlled pitting corrosion will be discussed. Pitting corrosion triggers serious damage in aircraft structures because pits act as one of the nucleation sites for fatigue crack formation. To study the role of pits in fatigue crack initiation, pits were created on high strength aluminum alloy 2024-T3 samples by an accelerated electrochemical method. These pits have a variety of diameters and depths. The scanning electronic microscopy. The pitted surface was examined, and parameters such as average roughness and pit depth were determined. In addition, 3D images of the pitted surface were recorded. These result provide the details of the critical pit size that can lead to fatigue crack initiation in Al 2024-T3. The understanding of the role of pitting in crack initiation aids in extending the fatigue life of the aging aircraft.

Citation Download Citation

Laura B. Simon, Mohammad Khobaib, Theodore E. Matikas, C. S. Jeffcoate, and M. S. Donley "Influence of pitting corrosion on structural integrity of aluminum alloys", Proc. SPIE 3585, Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Materials and Composites III, (8 February 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.339861

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