Corrosion effects of runway de-icing chemicals on aircraft alloys and coatings

Corrosion effects of five runway de-icing chemicals on aluminium alloy 2024, magnesium alloy RZ5 and cadmium-plated and subsequently chromate-treated steel 4340 were investigated by cyclic polarisation measurements, open circuit potential monitoring and cyclic chemical exposure tests. The runway de-icing chemicals included in the study contained urea, which has a long history as a runway de-icing chemical, and four new commercial de-icing chemicals, which were based on betaine and potassium formate.