ALUMINIUM ALLOY CORROSION OF AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES

Complex numerical models and simulations from the microscale to the macroscale have been developed for the corrosion of aluminium (Al) alloys typically used for aircraft construction, such as AA2024. The main motivation for developing the corrosion models and simulations is to make significant technical advancements in the fields of aircraft design (using current and new materials), surface protection systems (against corrosion and degradation), and maintenance. The corrosion models address pitting and intergranular corrosion (microscale) of Al alloys, crevice corrosion in occluded areas, such as joints (mesoscale), galvanic corrosion of aircraft structural elements (macroscale), as well as the effect of surface protection methods (anodisation, corrosion inhibitor release, clad layer, etc.). The main output of the corrosion models and simulations is the corrosion rate of the Al alloys at the various scales and how that is influenced by its material properties and the surface protection methods. An end-user friendly simulation system (decision support tool (DST)) has been established for exploitation and implementation of the project results in scientific and technical applications. This large collaborative work between 10 different institutions around Europe (Germany, France, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, and Greece) was achieved with the support of the European Union (EU) 6th Framework Programme via the project entitled SICOM (SImulation based COrrosion Management).