The objective of this project is to test and evaluate chloride rinse agents (CRA’s) for effectiveness of cleaning typical aviation metals. These metals pertain to Army aircraft, missile, and ground vehicle systems and components. NASA and the Engineering Development Contractor, Dynacs Inc., are testing the effectiveness of four separate CRA’s to prevent or reduce corrosion of metals exposed to salt spray. Nine different metals specified by the U.S. Army are presently experiencing a harsh, outdoor marine environment at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Beach Corrosion Test Site (BCTS). Solutions of CRA’s and control solutions are sprayed onto metal coupons each week. The coupons are being observed for corrosion activity for a period of 2 years. Comparison testing of products and recommendations will be reported at the 1- and 2-year points. Four chloride rinse agents shall be compared to seawater, demineralized water, and no rinse as controls. The nine materials/coatings that were selected for testing are:

• Aluminum 2024-T3 with 8625 coating.
• Aluminum 2024-T3 with 5539 coating.
• Aluminum 7075-T6.
• Magnesium 4377 with 3171 coating.
• Steel 4340.
• PH 13-8 Mo high-strength steel.
• AM-355 CRT high-strength steel.
• C-250 maraging high-strength steel.
• 6Al-4V (Ti-6Al-4V), UNS R65400.

Corrosion ratings will be based on weight loss for the 4340 steel, and pitting characteristic ratings will be applied to all other alloys.

Key accomplishments:

• Completed 1-year exposure of coupons.
• Cleaned and evaluated 8 of 9 coupon material sets at the 1-year point. The C-250 arrived late and will be tested at its 1-year deployment anniversary.
• Completed and delivered 1-year progress report.
• Presented 1-year data at DoD Tri-Services Conference.

Key milestones:

• Complete 2-year exposure of coupons.
• Clean and evaluate 2-year coupons.
• Prepare and deliver final report and associated coupons.