The ability of microorganisms to attack and utilize various kinds of hydrocarbons, organics, and metals has been known for years. However, their presence in aluminum fuel tank systems was not considered significant until reports revealed that the buildup of sludge in aircraft fuel storage tanks was the result of microbiological activity. Consequently, microorganism contamination of aircraft aluminum fuel tanks has become a serious military and commercial problem over the past ten years. Mod-maintenance programs revealed large deposits of sludge and microbiological growth on the bottoms and sides of fuel tanks. Widespread corrosion was detected beneath these deposits in varying degrees, from isolated pits to large areas of pitting and exfoliation.

Subject
Pits, Corrosion fatigue, Water, Aircraft, Magnesium alloys, Stress, Corrosion attacks, Metals, Corrosion data, Magnesium, Pitting, Aluminum alloys, Microorganisms
© 1969 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1969
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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