Aerospace Adhesives

Aerospace and Aircraft Adhesives

Permabond is an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of aerospace adhesives. Products we make for this industry include anaerobics, cyanoacrylates, epoxies, acrylics, as well as UV curing adhesives. Adhesive use is widespread both inside and outside of aircraft, for fixtures and fittings as well as mechanical and structural applications.

Adhesives are highly suitable for aircraft since they reduce the need for mechanical fasteners. Besides reducing the total weight, this also allows for greater freedom in choosing a substrate. Adhesives provide a better finished appearance to welding as well as better strength and stress distribution. 

Typical Applications:

Aerospace Adhesive

  • Threadlocking
  • Retaining
  • Gasketing
  • Thread sealing
  • Bonding
  • Tamper proofing
  • Sealing

What are Aerospace Adhesives?

Aerospace adhesives have applications throughout the interior, exterior and engine compartment of aircraft, on everything from the overhead lockers, to the handy seat trays and even the in-floor lighting. The engine contains threadlockers, retaining compounds, hydraulic system thread sealants as well as structural adhesives. Other adhesive applications include exterior panels, wing spars and door moldings – the list goes on!

Many applications call for a specific aerospace specification such as a Mil Spec, ASTM, SAE, or an internal company specification, such as a Boeing specification or a Lockheed Martin specification.

Adhesive selection for other aerospace applications is based on the substrates used and requirements of the bond. As a matter of fact, many aerospace applications require the same or similar products as those used in the automotive industry.

Aerospace Adhesive Types:

The aerospace industry frequently uses anaerobics, structural acrylics, epoxies, cyanoacrylates, as well as adhesive tapes and films.

Anaerobic Adhesives
Are used for threadlocking, retaining, thread sealing and form in place gasketing. Most of these applications are in the engine compartment, however threadlockers are important throughout the aircraft to prevent vibration loosening.

Structural Acrylics
Structural acrylics are used throughout in diverse applications such as bonding magnets into the electric motors and to attach harness clips.

Epoxies
Demand for strength and weight reduction is a huge factor driving the widespread use of adhesives in the aerospace industry. These same drivers are spurring the use of carbon fiber within aircraft and drones. In addition to Permabond structural acrylics, Permabond ET5428 and ET5429 are ideal for bonding carbon fiber and many other substrates. Lightweight honeycomb edge fillers for bonding composites are often epoxy-based and have a very low density to help keep the plane as light as possible.

Cyanoacrylates
Cyanoacrylates are not only used to permanently bond various items, but they are also used as a processing aid to instantly hold parts that are being bonded with slower curing adhesives. They are also a quick fix for damaged interior trim (often caused by bored passengers!), taking only seconds to cure – the turnaround time is next-to-nothing.

Although Permabond products are extensively used for their quality and our service, we recognize that in many cases you must start with a specification. Click here for more information on approvals, certifications, and commercial and military specifications.

For further help or to check for aerospace approvals, please contact Permabond.

 

 

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