June 6th, 2005

I was inspired to add in a different sort of corrosion this week as I have been linked by Aviatrix from Cockpit Conversations in her most recent Post about Corrosion. Amazingly enough, she happens to be a pilot that is actually interested in the maintenance end of her aircraft.... 'Tis a beautiful quality indeed!

Anyhow, back to my captivating looking bit of metal breakdown......
This is actually a perfect example of Magnesium corrosion at an attach point of a flap actuator mechanism on a Boeing 727.
Magnesium is used quite a lot in the thick casted parts and has a telltale dark colored pitting style of corrosion that is hard to realize it's full extent until it gets cleaned properly. I have actually seen magnesium pit all the way through and still keep its strength and not crack. This damage seen above was probably a combination of dissimilar metals and dirt, water,and/or salt getting underneath the washer of the attaching Bolt.

- An amusing little tidbit about rotted out magnesium castings such as this. - When labeled NFG, originally they will find their final resting place in the scrap metal bin... But, more times than not, are rescued and taken camping, thrown in a blazing fire that will end up eventually blinding the fellow campers as typically magnesium burns brighter than the sun. Fun and Games for Everyone!

Alas! - Its better to burn out than to rot away.....