Cabin heater to reduce corrosion?

TuomoMooneyFlying

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Tuomo
I read somewhere that even a small cabin heater that increases the temperature a few degrees above ambient will reduce humidity and in effect prevent corrosion? Now we all know that a higher temperature doesn’t affect absolute humidity but actually increases how much moisture the air can carry. So relative humidity decreases but not the absolute humidity. So if the actual moisture stays the same, would a cabin heater inside the plane do anything for corrosion prevention?
 
So if the actual moisture stays the same, would a cabin heater inside the plane do anything for corrosion prevention?
Not really. In order for corrosion to form you need an anode, cathode, and electrolyte. And about the only metal found on an aircraft that will "corrode" from humidity/water is iron or an iron alloy which is typically not found in its "raw" form inside of an aircraft. Now the internals of an engine, sure. In my experience, keeping the aircraft interior clean and in a serviceable condition goes a lot farther to corrosion control than anything else.
 
In my experiences in a very wide range of things, provided they are not in an extremely corrosive environment, most corrosion issues are the result of repeated use of cleaning products. Surfactants, chlorine, acids, and base ingredients even in trace amounts removing surface protections. The nice shiny look of polished aluminum just removed its natural passivation layer of oxide, that nice clean paint just removed its protective layer of oils and waxes. It is okay to clean and polish, but then it should also be followed with a protectant immediately after, and very few people I’ve met do that (lots of people wash their cars, but very few then follow up with a full in depth waxing, treating the rubber seals, etc.).
 
Not really. In order for corrosion to form you need an anode, cathode, and electrolyte. And about the only metal found on an aircraft that will "corrode" from humidity/water is iron or an iron alloy which is typically not found in its "raw" form inside of an aircraft. Now the internals of an engine, sure. In my experience, keeping the aircraft interior clean and in a serviceable condition goes a lot farther to corrosion control than anything else.

Really? Aluminum doesn't corrode?
 
Aluminum doesn't corrode?
Except thats not what I stated. Perhaps reread it? If humidity was the sole cause of aluminum corrosion there wouldn't be a pre-1980 aircraft left flying. Iron oxide on the other hand in humid conditions has been the death nell to many a cylinder, crank, and cam.;)
 
Dewpoint is what it is. If the aircraft skin is cooler than dewpoint moisture will condense there, and warm air holds more moisture. Do the math. Adding a little heat may not be a good thing. And sometimes stuff goes badly with heaters, like for this guy last week. The best way to prevent corrosion is to keep it below freezing.
 

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Except thats not what I stated. Perhaps reread it? If humidity was the sole cause of aluminum corrosion there wouldn't be a pre-1980 aircraft left flying. Iron oxide on the other hand in humid conditions has been the death nell to many a cylinder, crank, and cam.;)
It is a big part of it.

No moisture, you get little to no corrosion.
 
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