A320FAM CORROSION PROTECTION ENHANCEMENT OF FLOOR STRUCTURE (CABIN AND CARGO)

Reference: 53.00.00.017 Issue date: 27-FEB-2024 Last check date: 27-FEB-2024 Status: Open
A/C type/serie: A318, A319, A320, A321 ATA: 53-00
Engine manufacturer: Supplier:
Purpose / Reason for revision: TFU updated in blue text color
Open Root Cause Solution Selected Mitigation Available Solution Available
Resolution Timeline: MISP
NOV-2016 NOV-2017 DEC-2017 OCT-2020 DEC-2020
Engineering Support Status: Open

APPLICABILITY:
A320 Family

REFERENCE / DOCUMENTATION:
MISP D 1573/16: CORROSION PROTECTION ENHANCEMENT OF FLOOR STRUCTURE (CABIN AND CARGO)
ISI 53.00.00085 - A320FAM CABIN FLOOR STRUCTURE - CORROSION PREVENTION
ISI 53.00.00086 - A320FAM CARGO FLOOR STRUCTURE - CORROSION PREVENTION
TFU 53.02.00.007: A320FAM SEALANT IMPROVEMENTS ON FLOOR PANELS (CABIN AND CARGO)
SB 53-1482 (neo) & 53-1483 (ceo) - FUSELAGE GENERAL - APPLY PROTECTIVE ADHESIVE ABS5631 ON CABIN FLOOR
STRUCTURE
SB 53-1484 (neo) & 53-1485 (ceo) - FUSELAGE GENERAL - APPLY PROTECTIVE ADHESIVE ABS5631 ON CARGO FLOOR
STRUCTURE
SB 53-1486 (neo) & 53-1487 (ceo) - FUSELAGE FLOOR PANELS - DEFINE CARGO FLOOR PANEL FOAM TAPE ABS5673

DESCRIPTION AND CONSEQUENCE

Over the years, many operators have experienced numerous cases of corrosion findings on A320 family cabin and cargo metallic floor
structure. Wet areas in cabin are the most affected due to the proximity to main passenger entry doors, toilets and galleys.

This statement was also shared during last A320Fam Ageing Expert Forums done during last years with supportive collaboration
between Operators and Airbus (Nov.2017 in Dallas, Texas, USA; July 2018 in Frankfort, Germany; June 2019 in Beijing, China;
October 2019 in Medellín, Colombia).
INVESTIGATION
Corrosion in floor structure is a known topic which Airbus has been working to address. In house solutions were developed for A330
family.

The aim of this investigation is to analyse the new and already existing in-house solutions to introduce them to the A320 family fleet:
• Analyse and define protective Adhesive Solution for installation on cabin and/or cargo floor structure for series and retrofit.
• Re-assess corrosion surface protection application (TPS) in floor structure (cabin and cargo)
• Define new solution for cargo floor panels to improve floor structure corrosion prevention system for retrofit and series.

REPERCUSSIONS ON A/C OPERATIONS

It is expected to be embodied during C-Check (every 6Y checks).

TERMINATING ACTION
See below current in-service and line fit solutions:

1. CABIN: NEW PROTECTIVE ADHESIVE ABS5631 (SKYFLEX) ON CABIN FLOOR STRUCTURE:

Adhesive protection applied on metallic floor structure will minimize floor grid corrosion risk through an umbrella effect.

CABIN LINEFIT:

 Application of adhesive tape ABS5631 (Skyflex) in wet areas at Doors #01 between FR12 to 20 and Doors #04 between FR64 to 70.
 Serial production MOD 165600/K32202 – with 1st embodiment on A320neo MSN 9166 in September 2019
 Figure 1: ABS5631 standard application example

CABIN RETROFIT:

 Application of adhesive tape ABS5631 (Skyflex) CML code 14JAD1 in wet areas at Doors #01 between FR12 to 20 and Doors #04 between
FR64 to 70 through MOD 165600/K32202
 Modification SB confirmed to ensure a full post-mod configuration (better for configuration management) – published in December 2020.
o SB 53-1483 (ceo) - FUSELAGE GENERAL - APPLY PROTECTIVE ADHESIVE ABS5631 ON CABIN FLOOR STRUCTURE
o SB 53-1482 (neo) - FUSELAGE GENERAL - APPLY PROTECTIVE ADHESIVE ABS5631 ON CABIN FLOOR STRUCTURE
o
 AMM task 53-00-00-400-801-A01 (Installation of the Floor Panels in the Cabin from FR12 to FR70 (Alternative Installation Procedure - Dry
Sealing Concept) updated accordingly since AUG 2019 revision to allow tape replacement for post linefit POE MSNs. Tasks will be also
available for post SB MSNs.

2. CARGO: NEW PROTECTIVE ADHESIVE ABS5631 (SKYFLEX) ON CARGO FLOOR STRUCTURE:

Same tape to be applied in cargo as the one previously described in Cabin wet areas.

CARGO LINEFIT:

Solution embodiment in line fit (production) rejected due too complex repercussions on industrial process and not compatible
with the industrial ramp-up.

CARGO RETROFIT:

 Skyflex ABS5631 (CML code 14JAD1) application on flat area secondary structure of the FWD, Aft and Bulk Cargo Compartment.
 Retrofit through MOD 164411/K32167,
 Modification SB confirmed to ensure a full post-mod configuration (better for configuration management) – published in December 2020.
o SB 53-1485 (ceo) - FUSELAGE GENERAL - APPLY PROTECTIVE ADHESIVE ABS5631 ON CARGO FLOOR STRUCTURE
o SB 53-1484 (neo) - FUSELAGE GENERAL - APPLY PROTECTIVE ADHESIVE ABS5631 ON CARGO FLOOR STRUCTURE
 Updated AMM tasks will be visible for post SB MSNs.
o TASK 53-22-14-400-001-A - Installation of the Forward Cargo-Compartment Floor-Panels
o TASK 53-42-14-400-001-A - Installation of the Aft Cargo-Compartment Floor-Panels Zone 150
o TASK 53-42-17-400-001-A - Installation of the Bulk Cargo-Compartment Floor-Panels
 Figure 2: ABS5631 application in Cargo

3. CABIN: EXTENSION OF THE CPC/TPS APPLICATION FLOOR IN GRID AREA BELOW CABIN FLOOR PANELS:

CABIN LINEFIT:

 Previously proposed through RFC option MOD 162431/K30803,

 Now, serial introduction on longitudinal beams, seat tracks, floor panel connection sheets and general structures of Centre Aft Fuselage
between FR35 to FR70 iaw standard MOD 165508/K32466.

 All A/C delivered after January 2020 will be post-mod 165508/K32466

 Affected drawings for information:

A319 A320 A321
D534-76005 D534-70005 D534-74005
D534-76028 D534-70028 D534-74028
D534-76202 D534-70202 D534-74202

CARGO LINEFIT:
  For cargo areas, TPS application unchanged as already protected as baseline.

CABIN RETROFIT:

 AMM updates done iaw MOD 28115/K5949:

o FR36-46  TASK 53-31-00-916-002-A (Apply Type I Grade 2 or 3 Temporary Protection to fuselage internal structure below cabin
floor panels, including cabin floor structure between FR36 and FR46)
o FR47-70  TASK 53-41-00-916-003-A (Apply Type I Grade 2 or 3 Temporary Protection to Cabin Floor Structure, Excluding Areas
Below Galleys and Toilets and Door Entrance Area)

 AMM TASK 53-00-00-400-801-A (pre-mod MOD 165508/K32466 and pre-mod dry sealant concept) requests TPS application from TPS type
I and II (Material 12ABE2, 12ABC1, 12ACC1 or 12ACB1)

 AMM 53-00-00-400-801-A01 (dry sealant concept) updated since Nov. 2019 iaw MOD 165508/K32466 by application of TPS type III:
Corrosion Preventive Compound-Water Displacing & Heavy Duty Hard Film - (Material Ref. 12ADB1). It is clearly mention in the SUBTASK
53-00-00-160-051-A for preparation before installation.

CARGO RETROFIT:

 For cargo areas, TPS application unchanged as already protected as baseline.

4. CARGO: NEW FOAM TAPE FOR CARGO FLOOR PANELS:

The aim of the modification consists in replacing ABS5006 “open cells” white foam tape by ABS5673 “closed cells” brown foam tape
(CML code 14JMB1). Indeed ABS5006 is more prone to entrap moisture compared to “closed cell” foam tape such as ABS5673. See
figures 3, 5 and 6.

Note: Dry sealant ABS5784 (“L shape” - CML code 14JMB3) concept in cargo areas not possible due to fire containment certification
requirements.
 Figure 3: Illustration of panels equipped with ABS5006 (white foam) and with ABS5673 (closed cells brown foam).

CARGO LINEFIT:

Standard linefit solution with all cargo floor panels equipped with dry sealant brown foam tape ABS5673 (CML 14JMB1) not proposed
due to high cost in terms of configurations and drawings updates. Nevertheless, some alternatives are proposed:

 As an option: Dry sealant brown foam tape ABS5673 (CML 14JMB1) proposed in baseline on heavy-duty cargo floor panels optional design,
called BCCSE design (optional mod available in AIRBUS catalogue for new orders) – see figure 3 and 6.

 Cargo Door Sill Areas: New standard design on-going to extend the perimeter of application (in FWD and Aft Cargo Door Areas) in the
frame of A320Fam improvements called “STEP 4.1”, planned for all A/C EIS in 2026. Studies referenced through CR N.53.002317-0001
(AIRBUS internal reference). FWD and AFT SA Cargo Door Sill including next Composite Cargo Floor Panel applied with Sealing Tape
ABS5673 instead of ABS5006. Retrofit strategy for this smaller perimeter not yet defined. See Figure 4 for illustration:
 Figure 4: Illustration of the new design propose on FWD and Aft Cargo Door Sill Areas.

CARGO RETROFIT :

Full retrofit perimeter is proposed thanks to a dedicated Service Bulletins (SB):

 Change of the current cargo floor panel foam tape ABS5006 (white foam) to ABS5673 (closed cells foam – brown colour – CML code
14JMB1) – see figure 3 - possible in retrofit iaw MOD 165259/K32168 – through Service Bulletin (published in December 2020).

• SB 53-1487 (ceo) - FUSELAGE FLOOR PANELS - DEFINE CARGO FLOOR PANEL FOAM TAPE ABS5673
• SB 53-1486 (neo) - FUSELAGE FLOOR PANELS - DEFINE CARGO FLOOR PANEL FOAM TAPE ABS5673
• Following AMM tasks have been updated accordingly
• FWD Cargo Compartment (AMM 53-22-14-400-001-A)
• AFT Cargo Compartment (AMM 53-42-14-400-001-A)
• BULK Cargo Compartment (AMM 53-42-14-400-802-A)

CARGO FLOOR PANELS:

Change ABS5006 white foam to ABS5673 closed cells brown foam on lower side of cargo
floor panel need to done on the complete panel. It is not allowed to apply a mix configuration
on a same panel.

Figure 5: ABS5006 - white foam installed on cargo floor panels

Pre-mod Post-mod
White foam AB5006 Brown foam ABS5673 (CML code 14JMB1)

Figure 6: Principle sketches for Cargo floor panels (retrofit solution) iaw MOD 165259/K32168
Survey for the Engineering Support section
 Annex

General Information
Potential impact: Maintenance, Parts and Spares Configuration
Key information: Ageing A/C, In-Service Issue, Linked Items - MISP, Linked Items - Service Bulletin
Solution benefit:
First issue date: 18-AUG-2017 Issue date: 27-FEB-2024 Last check date: 27-FEB-2024

Technical parameters
ATA: 53-00
A/C type/serie: A318, A319, A320, A321
Engine:
Engine manufacturer:
Fault code/ECAM
warning:
FIN:
Part Number:
Supplier:

Attachments
N/A

Links
Other articles (ISI/TFU):
- 00.00.00196, 53.00.00085, 53.00.00086, 53.00.00112, 53.02.00.007, 53.21.00.007, 53.41.00.006, 53.41.00.009
Airnav documents:
- MOD 162431, MOD 164411, MOD 165259, MOD 165508, MOD 165600, MOD 28115
- SB 53-1482, SB 53-1483
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