Biosusceptibility evaluations of protective sealants used in aircraft fuel tanks

Abstract

The microbial attack on coatings used in aircraft fuel tanks has important implications because such coatings or sealants must remain intact for effective corrosion protection. In general, all the polysulphide based sealants under test were found to be very effective against individual cultures, viz<i style="">. </i>sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) and <i style="">Aureobasidium pullulans. </i>However, when the cultures were introduced collectively (viz. mixed and combination), growth of microorganisms resulted in degradation of coatings to a greater extent. Analysis of electrochemical data reveals that sealant RDL-854 can be used as a broad-spectrum sealant as it was found effective not only against single cultures but also when cultures were introduced collectively.