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Salt Spray Test to Determine Galvanic Corrosion Levels of Electroless Nickel Connectors Mounted on an Aluminum BracketDuring preliminary vehicle design reviews, requests were made to change flight termination systems from an electroless nickel (EN) connector coating to a zinc-nickel (ZN) plating. The reason for these changes was due to a new NASA-STD-6012 corrosion requirement where connectors must meet the performance requirement of 168 hr of exposure to salt spray. The specification for class F connectors, MIL-DTL-38999, certifies the EN coating will meet a 48-hr salt spray test, whereas the ZN is certified to meet a 168-hr salt spray test. The ZN finish is a concern because Marshall Space Flight Center has no flight experience with ZN-finished connectors, and MSFC-STD-3012 indicates that zinc and zinc alloys should not be used. The purpose of this test was to run a 168-hr salt spray test to verify the electrical and mechanical integrity of the EN connectors and officially document the results. The salt spray test was conducted per ASTM B117 on several MIL-DTL-38999 flight-like connectors mounted to an aluminum 6061-T6 bracket that was alodined. The configuration, mounting techniques, electrical checks, and materials used were typical of flight and ground support equipment.
Document ID
20140008725
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Rolin, T. D.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Hodge, R. E.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Torres, P. D.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Jones, D. D.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Laird, K. R.
(Engineering Research and Consulting, Inc. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
July 7, 2014
Publication Date
May 1, 2014
Subject Category
General
Report/Patent Number
NASA/TM-2014-218194
M-1383
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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