Aircraft Corrosion – Review of Corrosion Processes and its Effects in Selected Cases

Abstract From the safety point of view, one of the most important issues regarding aircraft operations is ensuring the durability of the structural components. Corrosion processes can have a significant effect on the integrity of structural materials and are usually associated with aircraft aging. Due to the variety of materials used, environments and loads impacting the planes, a wide range of different types of corrosion may occur in aircraft structures. The main aim of this study is to present some theoretical knowledge related to corrosion processes as well as problems of aircraft structures associated with corrosion occurrence. Firstly, the paper presents a brief overview of what corrosion is and what different types of corrosion are. Secondly, some selected aircraft failures caused by corrosion are shortly presented and discussed.