Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.
Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/126719
S a f e t y W ir e Rusty bolt shows the efect of not sealing holes in wood spars on a Bowers Fly Baby built in the early 1960s. Corrosion and Foreign Materials Their effect on aircraft By Chuck Burtch Aircraft construction uses many materials that sometimes are not compatible. The materials are chosen for their strength and manufacturing properties, and engineers typically consider their application as to the stress applied and how the part is to be made. Corrosion is generally a secondary consideration and is frequently handled by other methods. For example, when dissimilar metals attach to each other, some kind of barrier is used. experience with wood in aircraft is mostly in wood wing construction. While these remarks are mostly generic in nature and represent good practice in my experience, I must emphasize that if you are working with a certificated airplane, you should always adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations for service and repair. Similarly, with a homebuilt, always follow the manufacturer's instructions for construction practices, service, and repair. Let me start by stating that this article is written on a mechanic's level and is based on my experiences as a U.S. Navy mechanic, my restoration of several aircraft, and my construction of an amateur-built aircraft. My day job was that of a wood patternmaker, primarily in the centrifugal pump industry. It was my job for some 35 years, so I know my way around a wood shop pretty well. My If the observations in this article disagree with what the manufacturer's instructions say, go with the manufacturer, but this should give inspiration to start a conversation about those practices. In the pattern manufacturing industry, we commonly would lubricate our saw, jointer, and thickness planer tables with paraffin. It allowed our lumber to slide almost effortlessly across these tables. Some folks often 32 Vol.2 No.5 / May 2013