Consolidated Cleaning Specification

Proper cleaning with approved materials is a key element in any Corrosion Prevention and Control Program.  The Air Force Corrosion Prevention and Control Office (AFCPCO) has the engineering and technical responsibilities for ensuring proper cleaning materials are implemented in the appropriate technical data on aircraft, support equipment, avionics, communication and electronics, vehicles, and munitions. In 2003, the AFCPCO conducted a review of cleaning specifications used in the USAF.  In many cases the specifications were based on specific cleaning materials not cleaning functions.   In 2004, the AFCPCO initially developed a draft series of consolidated cleaning specifications based on performance for review by the Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC).  The draft series of performance based specifications was recently reviewed and enthusiastically received by ASC managers. Funding has been acquired that will allow the draft performance based specifications to be fully developed. The performance based cleaning specifications will significantly reduce the numbers and types of cleaning materials for the Air Force providing for better quality control of the cleaning materials and processes. The implementation of the new specification will further result in reductions in document support requirements and corresponding costs.