What can produce corrosive vapors in avionics systems, which is not common in airframes?

Organic materials are a significant source of corrosive vapors in avionics systems. These materials can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, when present in the environment of sensitive electronics, can lead to corrosion of metal components. In the context of avionics, these corrosive vapors can negatively affect circuit boards, connectors, and other critical electronic parts, leading to performance degradation or failures.

While humidity is indeed known to contribute to corrosion by facilitating electrochemical reactions, it is not specific to avionics systems and affects airframes similarly. Metals themselves do not produce corrosive vapors; rather, they may react with their environment under certain conditions. Solvents can lead to corrosion indirectly through their potential to clean surfaces and remove protective coatings, but they are more associated with cleaning processes than as a source of corrosive vapors. Organic materials, therefore, stand out as the key contributor to producing corrosive vapors that are particularly detrimental to avionics systems.