Innovative Approaches for Predicting Galvanic Effects of Dissimilar Material Interfaces (MSC P4039)

The use of multiple materials on aircraft can result in galvanic corrosion, accelerated by the aggressive Navy operational environment. Traditional approaches to minimizing the galvanic activity of structural designs rely heavily on sealants, coatings, and other barrier techniques, all of which may degrade over time or add parasitic weight to the structure. The ultimate objective of the research program offered in this proposal is elimination of the costly need for"find-and-fix"corrosion mitigation through better design. The first step toward this goal, i.e., the Phase I feasibility study, is to develop and demonstrate analysis tools for predicting galvanic response of structures constructed of dissimilar materials. Basic material property tests and subcomponent tests will be conducted to provide initial validation of the modeling approach. This will be accomplish by implementing first-principles based material models into a commercially available software package and demonstrating that the analysis can replicate the measured electrochemical response of subcomponents fabricated using composites and metals. A matrix of planned generic subcomponent test configurations has been defined, some of which will be tested under the Base program, with the balance to be tested under the Option Task if awarded.