PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-712

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 712

MARCH 2012
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-712 - Page 32 of 32
60
PS 712
MAR 12
this
mlrs
needs
me!
let me
at those
corroded
cables!!!
T
housands of electrical cables are used on Army equipment, ranging from the most basic
radio systems to complex missile systems and aircraft. All of these cables can be knocked
out by corrosion in their connectors. And once the cables are gone, so is the equipment
they’re powering. That’s why you need to do everything possible to fight cable corrosion.
Corrosion takes many different forms, depending on what the cable connector is made
of. Corrosion on aluminum can be white, gray or black and look like a paste when wet or a
hard film or crumbly deposit when dry. On steel, corrosion is red, brown or black and looks
crusty. On copper, it’s green or blue and looks like paste when wet. Pitting is also a form of
corrosion.
The best way to combat cable corrosion is to apply corrosion preventive compounds
(CPCs) to both the inside and outside of connectors on a regular basis.
Corrosion POCs
If you have corrosion questions, contact AMCOM’s corrosion program office’s Robert
Herron at DSN 746-5061, (256) 876-5061, or email:
robert.a.herron@us.army.mil
or
steven.f.carr@us.army.mil
On the inside of connectors,
spray
a
light
coat
of
MIL-
PRF-81309 Type III CPC, NSN
8030-00-546-8637, on the pins
and plugs. Do this in a well-
ventilated area. That’s a light
coat! Don’t soak the connectors.
MIL-PRF-81309 Type III is the only
authorized CPC for connector
pins and plugs.
On
connector
shells
and
mounting plates, apply a light
film of MIL-DTL-81309 Type II CPC,
NSN
Again,
just a light coat. This CPC is also
good for lubing moving parts like
hinges. Other sizes of this CPC are
available on FED LOG.
Then,
during
your
weekly
PMCS, check for corrosion on
connector
mating
surfaces,
threads,
shells
and
mounting
plates. Treat them again with
CPCs if necessary. Be sure to
remove the old CPC residue
and
clean
the
connector
surfaces
before
applying
a
new coat.
Other CPCs
MIL-DTL-85054 Type I, NSN 8030-01-347-0980, is good for protecting non-moving metal
parts, such as skin seams, fastener heads where paint has cracked, access panel edges, and
areas with damaged paint.
Use MIL-L-23398 (solid film lube), NSN 9150-01-260-2534, or MIL-PRF-81309 Type II,
NSN 8030-00-938-1947, on sliding components like hinges, turnbuckles, latches, and flap
tracks. Solid film lube is also good for protecting areas where paint or protective finish
has worn off.
Spray MIL-PRF-81309 on connector pins and plugs
On connector threads, and mounting
plates, spray MIL-DTL-81309
Fighting Cable
Corrosion
712 60-61.indd
1-2
1/31/12
10:34 AM
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