I didn't quite finish my PhD at Purdue University - but thought I would put the web pictures up anyway - in case anyone wanted to see what I did for a couple of years.

Overview

The overall goal of this project is to obtain a fracture mechanics based approach tothe treatment of corrosion and its effects on structural integrity. After the material has been analyzed either through destructive or non-destructive methods, a methodology of obtaining an equivalent initial flaw size distribution will be employed for use in life predictions. The initial damage state properties that will characterize the damage are local stress concentrators (EIFS) and a load loss capability due to thickness reduction.

Another current goal is to quantify the state of corrosion with an easily measurable physical, electrochemical, or material property, such as surface roughness or electrical impedance, to an initial damage state. Since data from actual aircraft components is limited, artificially corroded specimens will be utilized. The artificial corrosion methods will include the Alternate Immersion and EXCO tests for (local damage) and thickness reduction, respectively.

Sponsored in part by AFOSR (Air Force Office of Scientific Research) as part of their URI (University Research Initiative).

Pictures, magnified approximately 5.875X, of aircraft grade 2024-T3 aluminum after 3 weeks and 6 weeks of artificial corrosion in an Alternate Immersion tank in the Fracture & Fatigue Lab at Purdue University.