Aviation Maintenance Terms beginning with D
Dalton’s Law
States that a mixture of several gases which do not react chemically exerts a pressure equal to the sum of the pressures which the several gases would exert separately if each were allowed to occupy the entire space alone at the given temperature.
Datum
An imaginary vertical plane or line from which all measurements of arm are taken. The datum is established by the manufacturer. Once the datum has been selected, all moment arms and the location of CG range are measured from this point.
Debonding
Separation of the bond between the skin laminates and the core of a composite structure.
Decibels
The unit for measuring sound intensity. One decibel is the smallest change in sound intensity the human ear can detect.
Decimal system
The number system, also called the base-ten system, based on the number 10. Consisting of ten symbols, or digits (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), the main principle is that 10 is considered as a new unit from which point counting starts again.
Degradation
The alteration of material properties (e.g., strength, modulus, coefficient of expansion) which may result from deviations in manufacturing or from repeated loading and/or environmental exposure.
Delamination
Separation of the bond between the individual plies of a laminated composite structure.
Denominator
The lower part of a fraction (represented by the letter D in N⁄D), the quantity by which the numerator is divided.
Density
The weight of a substance per unit volume.
Detail drawing
A description of a single part, given in such a manner as to describe bylines, notes, and symbols the specifications for size, shape, material, and methods of manufacture to be used in making the part.
Detailed inspection
A thorough examination of an item including disassembly. The overhaul of a component is considered to be a detailed inspection.
Detonation
Uncontrolled burning of fuel in the cylinder of a reciprocating engine. Detonation causes explosive burning of the fuel which creates an increased cylinder pressure, excessive cylinder head temperature, and decreased engine performance.
Dew point
The temperature to which humid air must be cooled at constant pressure to become saturated.
Dial indicator
Measures variations in a surface by using an accurately machined probe mechanically linked to a circular hand whose movement indicates thousandths of an inch, or is displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.
Diameter (circle)
The length of a line passing directly through the center of a circle. Twice the radius of the circle.
Die
Used for cutting external threads on round stock.
Difference
The answer to a subtraction problem.
Direct current (DC)
Electricity that flows in one direction at all times.
Directional stability
Stability about the vertical axis of an aircraft, whereby an aircraft tends to return, on its own, to flight aligned with the relative wind when disturbed from the equilibrium state.
Discontinuity
An interruption in the normal physical structure or configuration of a part, such as a crack, forging lap, seam, inclusion, porosity, and the like. A discontinuity may or may not affect the usefulness of a part.
Dissimilar metal corrosion
Caused by contact between dissimilar metal parts in the presence of a conductor.
Dividend
In a division problem, the number to be divided by the divisor. In 6 ÷ 2 = 3, the dividend is 6.
Division
The process of finding how many times one number (the divisor) is contained in another number (the dividend).
Divisor
In a division problem, the number by which dividend is to be divided. In 6 ÷ 2 = 3, the divisor is 2.
Doping
The process by which small amounts of additives called impurities are added to the semiconductor material to increase their current flow by adding a few electrons or a few holes.
Dynamic stability
The property of an aircraft that causes it, when disturbed from straight-and level flight, to develop forces or moments that restore the original condition of straight and level
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