DETECTING CORROSION
■ VISUAL INSPECTION
-The most widely used technique and is an effective
method for the detection and evaluation of corrosion.
-employs the eyes to look directly at an aircraft
surface or at a low angle of incidence to detect corrosion
4 CATEGORIES OF VISUAL INSPECTION
1.) WALKAROUND INSPECTION
- assesses the overall condition of the aircraft and its
compliance with the security standards
- performed by a human inspector by walking around
on the ground below the aircraft
2.) GENERAL VISUAL INSPECTION
- a routine inspection to locate and evaluate any
damage, failure, or anomaly
- the human inspector requires additional equipment,
such as ladders and cherry pickers
3.) DETAILED VISUAL INSPECTION
-intensive examination of a specific area, component,
or system for the detection of damages
- some tools are required (ex. flashlight, magnifying
glass, mirrors, or specialist measuring tools)
4.) SPECIAL DETAILED VISUAL INSPECTION
- may be required for damage assessment of a specific
item, installation, or assembly
■ LIQUID PENETRANT INSPECTION
-NDT method that utilizes the principle of capillary
action in which liquid of suitable physical properties can
penetrate deep into extremely fine cracks or pitting that are
opened to the surface without being affected by the
gravitational force.
■ MAGNETIC PARTICLE INSPECTION
- magnetized parts are coated with a solution made
up of fine magnetic particles coated with fluorescent color,
suspended in a light oil or water bath. This solution
accumulates in areas where the magnetic field is broken due
to a discontinuity,
■ ULTRASONIC INSPECTION
-High frequency sound waves are introduced into a
material and they are reflected back from surfaces or flaws.
Reflected sound energy is displayed versus time, and inspector
can visualize a cross section of the specimen showing the
depth of features that reflect sound.
Three Methods of Ultrasonic Inspection:
▪ TRANSMISSION METHOD
- employs two transducers, each placed on opposite sides of
the material being tested. One of the transducers creates a
pulse and the other receives it.
- If there is a disruption in the pulse, inspectors will know a
defect is present
▪ PULSE ECHO METHOD
- more sensitive than transmission method
- identify defects by measuring the time it takes amplitude
signals to travel between different points or surfaces in a
material
▪ RESONANCE METHOD
- similar to pulse echo, except that with resonance testing the
regularity of transmission can be changed
- used when only one side of a material can be accessed.
■ RADIOGRAPHY INSPECTION
-NDT method, which uses penetrating radiation. In this
inspection the source of radiation can be from radioactive
sources, typically Irridium-192, Cobalt-60, Caesium-137, which
emit gamma rays or from a specially built machine that can
emit X rays.
■ EDDY CURRENT INSPECTION
-Eddy current testing is particularly well suited for detecting
surface cracks but can also be used to make electrical
conductivity and coating thickness measurements. Here a
small surface probe is scanned over the part surface in an
attempt to detect a crack.
CORROSION PRONE AREAS
• Exhaust Trail Areas
• Battery Compartments and Vent Openings
• Bilge Areas
• Lavatories, Buffets, and Galleys
• Wheel Well and Landing Gear
• Water Entrapment Areas
o Engine Frontal Areas and Cooling Air
Vents
• Wing Flap and Spoiler Recesses
• External Skin Areas
• Electronic and Electrical Compartments
 CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
• ANODIZING
The most common surface treatment of nonclad
aluminum alloy surfaces. Anodized coating provides
excellent resistance to corrosion. Forms a hard oxide
film on the surface by an electrolytic process.

• ALODIZING
-A simple chemical treatment for all aluminum alloys
to increase their corrosion resistance and to improve
their paint bonding qualities. For its simplicity, it is
rapidly replacing anodizing in aircraft work. Forming a
hard oxide film on the surface by a chemical process.
Alodizing because of the chemical Alodine.

• CHROMIC ACID INHIBITOR

A 10 percent solution by weight of chromic acid,
activated by a small amount of sulfuric acid, is
particularly effective in treating exposed or corroded
aluminum surfaces. It may also be used to treat
corroded magnesium. This treatment tends to restore
the protective oxide coating on the metal surface.

• SODIUM DICHROMATE SOLUTION

A less active chemical mixture for surface treatment
of aluminum is a solution of sodium dichromate and
chromic acid. Entrapped solutions of this mixture are
less likely to corrode metal surfaces than chromic acid
inhibitor solutions.