FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B
Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices
Aircraft Inspection and Repair
AC 43.13-1B | 6. Corrosion, Inspection, and Protection | 2. Types of Corrosion | 6-22. Fretting Corrosion
AC 43.13-1B
9/8/98
at a stress level far below the fatigue limit of
an uncorroded part, even though the amount of
corrosion is relatively small.
Application of a lubricant or installation of a
fretting-resistant material between the two sur
faces can reduce fretting corrosion.
6-22. FRETTING CORROSION. Fretting
corrosion,(also known as wear corrosion or
friction oxidation) can occur at the interface of
two highly-loaded surfaces which are not sup
posed to move against each other. However,
vibration may cause the surfaces to rub to
gether resulting in an abrasive wear known as
fretting. (See figure 6-13.) The protective
film on the metallic surfaces is removed by
this rubbing action. With continued rubbing,
metal particles sheared from the surface of the
metal combine with oxygen to form metal ox
ide. As these oxides accumulate, they cause
damage by abrasive action and increased local
stress. The most common example of fretting
corrosion is the smoking rivet found on engine
cowling and wing skins. This is one corrosion
reaction that is not driven by an electrolyte,
and in fact, moisture may inhibit the reaction.
FIGURE 6-13. Fretting corrosion.
6-23.6-28. [RESERVED.]
Page 6-10
Par 6-21