14.06.2014 Views

TO 1-1-700 - Robins Air Force Base

TO 1-1-700 - Robins Air Force Base

TO 1-1-700 - Robins Air Force Base

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

<strong>TO</strong> 1-1-<strong>700</strong><br />

vulnerable surfaces clean while the components are operating.<br />

In storage, however, the intrusion of contaminates can cause<br />

corrosion to continue unchecked until the component is<br />

ruined. Table 8-1 lists common effects of corrosion on electrical<br />

components and systems.<br />

8.5.1.3 Electronic. Electronic systems are particularly vulnerable<br />

to corrosion damage. In modern electronics, circuit<br />

areas are minimized to permit fast operation. Because of this,<br />

most circuit paths have a very small cross-sectional area, making<br />

them extremely vulnerable to corrosion damage. Often,<br />

corrosion that is barely visible to the naked eye is severe<br />

enough to impact the operation of a circuit and cause a system<br />

failure.<br />

Table 8-1. Effects of Corrosion on Electronic Equipment<br />

Component<br />

Failure Mode<br />

Antennas<br />

Relay and switching systems<br />

Plugs, connectors, jacks<br />

Power cables<br />

Display lamps<br />

Waveguides<br />

Printed circuit boards<br />

Batteries<br />

Bus bars<br />

Coaxial Lines<br />

Shorts, changes is circuit constants, structural deterioration<br />

Mechanical failure, shorts, intermittent operation, signal loss<br />

Shorts, increased resistance, intermittent operation, water seal deterioration<br />

Disintegration of insulation, wire and connector deterioration, shorts<br />

Intermittent operation, electrical failures<br />

Loss of integrity against moisture, pitting, reduction of efficiency, structural deterioration<br />

Shorts, increased resistance, component and system failures<br />

High terminal resistance, contact point failure, structural damage to mounting<br />

Structural and electrical failures<br />

Impedance fluctuations, signal loss, deterioration of connectors<br />

8.5.2 Recognizing Corrosion. The ability to recognize corrosion<br />

is essential to performing a comprehensive corrosion<br />

inspection. Metals tend to return to their natural forms (oxides,<br />

carbonates, and others) and are thus vulnerable to corrosion.<br />

Table 8-2 describes the application of common metals in communications<br />

electronics and the indicators of corrosion in<br />

those metals. Detailed instructions or guidelines for recognizing<br />

corrosion can be found in Chapter 9 of this manual. In<br />

most cases, deterioration of nonmetallic components allows<br />

moisture intrusion. This contributes to mechanical failure<br />

through swelling and cracking. In addition, it contributes to<br />

the alteration of the electronic characteristics of electronic<br />

components. Table 8-3 describes the type of attack and the<br />

appearance of the deterioration for common nonmetallic items<br />

in C-E-M equipment.<br />

8.5.3 Effects of Solder Flux. Solder flux residues are<br />

highly corrosive and may be conductive as well. In addition,<br />

they have adhesive properties, attracting and accumulating dirt<br />

or other contaminates. In turn, these contaminates may trap<br />

moisture, causing corrosion or circuit failure. Ultraviolet light<br />

may be used to detect solder flux residue.<br />

8.5.4 Effects of Microbial Presence. Bacteria and fungi<br />

can feed on organic material (encapsulants, conformal coatings,<br />

gaskets, thermoplastics, etc.). Some can release an acid<br />

which facilitates additional corrosion. The presence of these<br />

microbes can be identified by damp, slimy, and bad-smelling<br />

growths on the components in question.<br />

8.5.5 Effects of Insect and Animal Presence. Insects and<br />

small animals can also feed on some organic compounds. In<br />

addition, they can build nests which will trap moisture. The<br />

presence of insects or animals can be identified by the presence<br />

of nests, holes in packaging, and excrement.<br />

8.5.6 Inspection Procedures. This paragraph provides<br />

brief guidance with respect to corrosion inspections of communications<br />

electronics equipment. For more detailed information,<br />

see Chapter 9 of this manual.<br />

8.5.6.1 General. Frequent corrosion inspections are essential<br />

to minimizing and treating corrosion damage to electronic<br />

equipment. Early detection minimizes the cost of repairing<br />

corrosion damage.<br />

8-4

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!