What is used to prevent fretting corrosion between contacting metal skin and panels?

What is used to prevent fretting corrosion between contacting metal skin and panels?

• A. A form of adhesive tape placed between the surfaces to prevent metal-to-metal contact.
• B. A thick grease applied to surfaces.
• C. A resin-based paint.
• D. A mechanical spacer only.

Answer: (A)

Fretting corrosion happens when tiny motions at metal-to-metal joints cause wear, removing protective films and allowing moisture and oxygen to corrode the metal. The best way to stop this is to keep the two surfaces from contacting, creating a barrier between them. An adhesive tape acts as that barrier, isolating the skin from the panel and preventing the metal-to-metal wear that starts fretting corrosion. It’s a removable, durable solution that works under the environmental conditions aircraft joints face and doesn’t rely on lubricants or coatings that can migrate or wear away. Grease isn’t ideal here because it can trap dirt and moisture and isn’t a reliable long-term barrier in joints. A resin-based paint may protect exposed areas but isn’t a dependable removable barrier in a contact joint. A mechanical spacer keeps clearance but doesn’t stop micro-contact and wear at the contact points.

Fretting corrosion happens when tiny motions at metal-to-metal joints cause wear, removing protective films and allowing moisture and oxygen to corrode the metal. The best way to stop this is to keep the two surfaces from contacting, creating a barrier between them. An adhesive tape acts as that barrier, isolating the skin from the panel and preventing the metal-to-metal wear that starts fretting corrosion. It’s a removable, durable solution that works under the environmental conditions aircraft joints face and doesn’t rely on lubricants or coatings that can migrate or wear away.

Grease isn’t ideal here because it can trap dirt and moisture and isn’t a reliable long-term barrier in joints. A resin-based paint may protect exposed areas but isn’t a dependable removable barrier in a contact joint. A mechanical spacer keeps clearance but doesn’t stop micro-contact and wear at the contact points.