- Author
-
Speitel, L. C.
- Title
- Effects of Concentrated Hydrochloric Acid Spills on Aircraft Aluminum Skin.
- Coporate
- William J. Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ
- Sponsor
- Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, DC
- Report
-
DOT/FAA/AR-TN97/109; AAR-422; Final Report,
July 1998,
13 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
-
hydrochloric acid
|
aircraft structures
|
time
- Identifiers
- acid spill; aircraft skin
- Abstract
- This document describes the tests conducted to evaluate the effects of a spill of a strong corrosive acid such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) on aircraft interior skin and to determine the time required for a spill of Department of Transportation (DOT) allowable volumes and concentrations to cause catastrophic failure. Test data indicate that the epoxy coated interior aluminum skin is resistant to acid attack. The acid reacted vigorously with scratched skin surfaces, creating a wide hole in the skin along the scratch line. Test data also indicate that a spill of concentrated HCl can eat completely through the rivets and ribs and may result in a significant loss of structural rib strength.