Mercury banned on airplanes due to corrosive reaction with aluminum

iflscience.com

Mercury is banned on airplanes due to its corrosive reaction with aluminum. Mercury forms an amalgam with exposed aluminum, causing a self-propagating corrosion that can damage aircraft structures. This reaction requires only small amounts of mercury to cause significant structural compromise. The ban prevents potential structural failures caused by amalgam corrosion, a process that can rapidly penetrate aluminum components with sufficient moisture and mercury.


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Mercury banned on airplanes due to corrosive reaction with aluminum | News Minimalist