X-15 Corrosion Problems

[APG85]

Anyone ever hear of the X-15 at the NMUSAF having corrosion issues? I thought this link was interesting...

http://www.mach25media.com/x1504.html

[mustangdriver]

If you guys want to chime in your thoughts,
I would be more than happy to present it to them.

[mustangdriver]

I sent the link over to the restoration lead

[The Inspector]

According to a supplier California Metals website, INCONEL is a corrosion resistant self passivating metal, It shouldn't corrode too much as it's substantially Nickel.

[51fixer]

Possibly oxidation of coating on the metal rather than the metal itself.

[mustanglover]

Self passivation would mean that the surface is technically corroded, and that corrosion is what is protecting the underlying metal.

[RareBear]

It's somewhat like CORTEN steel. It forms a thin layer of corrosion on the surface, and that layer protects the rest of the metal from further corrosion. The steel looks corroded, but its just a very thin layer on the surface.

A lot of highway departments use it for guardrails along roadways, since the brown surface looks better in a wooded scenario that the shiny galvanized steel.

Walt

[JohnB]

It's somewhat like CORTEN steel. It forms a thin layer of corrosion on the surface, and that layer protects the rest of the metal from further corrosion. The steel looks corroded, but its just a very thin layer on the surface.
A lot of highway departments use it for guardrails along roadways, since the brown surface looks better in a wooded scenario that the shiny galvanized steel.
Walt

We have a long railroad bridge like that. They simply let it rust to a nice patina. When new, back in the 70s, it won design awards.
Too bad they didn't figure out that the rust would run down the concrete supports...so it looks a bit tatty.

[over/out]

Good to know she'll be A O.K! other wize, I was told by "GEN. Warbird" that all they would have to do is take her up to mach 2 and that "Stuff" would come right off and she'll be looking as good as new!

[The Inspector]

Good to know she'll be A O.K! other wize, I was told by "GEN. Warbird" that all they would have to do is take her up to mach 2 and that "Stuff" would come right off and she'll be looking as good as new!

Except I'll bet the folks living around Dayton would be 'dis-accomidated' to hear that XLR-99 sound off!

[APG85]

Interesting input. I wasn't sure if this was a real problem with the skin of the plane or not. I've seen it in the past and didn't notice anything apparent but I wasn't really looking that hard either. Great discussion as always...

[mustangdriver]

The thing I always liked about the NMUSAF X planes is that most of them are not restored, but in the condition they were last used in. MAkes them more of a time capsule.