[Zhang Fei]

The American manufacturer of the legendary attack helicopter is using a new aluminum-magnesium alloy for the tail rotor gearbox and this material seems to be the reason of corrosion in salty and humid climates such as in Taiwan.

Used to be that materials were tested to the point of redundancy before being used in civilian, let alone military, aviation.

[biff]

Under normal conitions the alum/mag would be fine but the salty environment is no good with magnesium. Salt loves mag, and when mag parts get into sea water it can be gone very quickly, days sometimes.