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By: - 30th June 2011 at 16:51 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Producing a generic guide is gound to be a nightmare as there are so many different substances that could be on an airframe, even when you think you have a full list for a specific aircraft there as always the chance of finding something strange once you start taking it to bits.
The Uranium is known as DU235 the DU meaning Depleted Uranium, its not radioactive, as I recall the surface corrosion of this material can be harmful if not handled correctly, last time I encountered this substance was taking a Nimrod AEW to bits (Elevator mass balance). Makes great rivetting dollys though......
A far from definitive list:
Radar coolant
Hydraulic fluid
Asbestos
Chromate (if paint stripping with blasting equipment, get this wrong and you can contaminate a whole hanger in a very short amount of time)
Fuel
Hydrazine
Stontium Chromate capsules (to prevent bacterial growth in fuel tanks)
Barium Oxide
Magnesium (Only really dangerious if it catches fire)
Even when you know the aircraft type and what it contains in terms of substances you can be caught out, for example when taking a Nimrod MR2P to bits we found a rather strange blue/ back poweder under the floor in quite large quantity. When analysed it transpired to be burnt paper from the paper rolls that had the sonar data "burnt" on to them by an elctrically charged stylus, the dust was collected by an onboard vac system, a broken pipe is where loads of strange looking powder had come from! - Knowing where your nearest chemical lab that can analyse unknown substances is vital - Mike
By: - 30th June 2011 at 21:08 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I would also register on PPrune.org and ask there too,
I would never use depleted uranium as a rivet block. you are asking for serious problems, think disposing of it off an aircraft is expensive when scrapped BTW.......... get some Tungsten mate for a block.
http://www.wise-uranium.org/ruxcw.html
http://www.aels.nl/sites/aels/user_files/NewsArticles/ATEMArticle.pdf
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.n…
By: - 1st July 2011 at 08:20 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Many Thanks to both of you for your help and advice. Both posts were very helpful.
Tom
Posts: 2
By: TomWorrall - 30th June 2011 at 16:11
Hi To All,
I'm hoping this is the right place to ask this sort of question, and that you all can help me.
I'm currently undertaking a feasibility study on the dismantling of disused aircraft.
I'm currently trying to assess all the toxic substances that will require special handling (For Example Skydrol, the Uranium used for weighting, etc) I'm trying to get this list as complete as possible, and was hoping someone may have or know of a list of such items or you could share anything you know.
I appreciate your responses in advance