How Skunk Works Traced The SR-71's Cracking Titanium To Burbank's Summer Tap Water

A critical investigation by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works revealed the cause of cracks appearing in the SR-71 Blackbird’s titanium skin. This issue stemmed initially from repeated summer welding attempts that proved unsuccessful, leading engineers to explore potential sources of contamination. Researchers ultimately identified Burbank, California’s municipal water supply as the culprit, specifically its high chlorine content. The presence of this chlorine was found to be corroding the titanium alloy during the aircraft's maintenance operations. A straightforward solution involved switching to non-chlorinated water for cleaning and repairs at the Burbank facility, effectively resolving the problem.