The role of enhanced visual inspections in the new strategy for corrosion management

The current corrosion maintenance philosophy reflected in aviation regulations and recommended practices does not stimulate progress in corrosion related technology. A US Air Force (USAF)-sponsored survey has recommended re-examination of corrosion maintenance policies and practices to identify lower cost alternatives, and has encouraged research into tools and techniques that reduce maintenance costs while preserving safety. In particular, these include models to predict the impact of existing corrosion damage on structural integrity, methods of predicting corrosion growth rates and nondestructive inspection systems capable of providing corrosion metrics. The Institute for Aerospace Research of the National Research Council Canada (IAR/NRC) has pioneered work on the application of enhanced visual methods for corrosion detection in lap joints and the assessment of the impact of corrosion on lap-joint structural integrity. The role of these enhanced visual methods in the new corrosion management is described.