Corrosion of Aluminum Fuel System Components by Reaction with EGME Icing Inhibitor

摘要

Aluminum structures in sealed fuel systems into which dried, deaerated JP-10 had been introduced were found to have corroded after several years in storage. An investigation into the cause of corrosion revealed that the aluminum had been chemically attacked by the weakly acidic alcoholic hydrogen on the ethylene glycol monomethyl ether icing inhibitor additive in the fuel. Under dry, anaerobic conditions, the ethylene glycol monomethyl ether was found to attack each of several aluminum alloys that were tested, even in instances where they had been treated with a chromate conversion coating. Hydrogen gas and aluminum alkoxides have been identified as the primary byproducts of the corrosion reaction. Methane, methanol, ethanol, ethers, and ether alcohols were also observed. Water and oxygen in sufficient concentrations inhibited attack, probably by virtue of the protective aluminum oxide that is maintained in their presence.