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Received: January 18, 2021; Revised: March 03, 2021; Accepted: March 04, 2021
Abstract: Atmospheric corrosion severity associated with aircraft parking environment was studied using metallic specimens, and temperature and humidity sensors installed at each aircraft operating base. Data were analyzed after a year of exposure. Silver was used to measure chloride deposition by integrating X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profiles. Carbon steel was utilized to determine the corrosion rate by measuring the weight loss. The time of wetness was determined using temperature and humidity sensor data. Analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s “honestly significant difference” test indicated that atmospheric environment inside the shelter varied significantly from that of unsheltered parking environment. The corrosion rate of unsheltered area also varies with the roof. Hierarchical clustering analysis of the measured data was used to classify air bases into groups with similar atmospheric corrosion. Bases where aircraft park at a shelter can be grouped together regardless of geographical location. Unsheltered bases located inland can also be grouped together with sheltered bases as long as the aircraft are parked under the roof. Environmental severity index was estimated using collected data and validated using the measured corrosion rate.