High-performance polyimides for aircraft systems components

The 2009 global recession has adversely affected air transport in various regions around the world. The Air Transport Association's 2010 economic report revealed that operating revenues for U.S. airlines fell by approximately 17% in the wake of the 2009 global recession - considered the worst since the 1930s.  According to the International Air Transport Association, European airlines were also hit by the economic downturn, seeing a 15% drop in revenue.  While global profits have slowly started to bounce back, fuel prices have hit near-record highs.  In order to remain competitive and increase margins, airlines have been forced to scale back on expansion plans, including the purchase of new planes and equipment.  This has placed the burden on regular fleet maintenance to ensure the integrity of vital aircraft systems and their components.  The recent incident involving a tear in the fuselage of a passenger airline - prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to order an examination of older 737s for signs of metal fatigue - underscores the simple fact that age is catching up with many planes in the existing fleet.  

So what can be done to address the issue of aging aircraft and parts?  Rather than necessitate costly aircraft and systems replacements, recent advances in materials science now allow OEMs and fleet operators to use enhanced systems components made from made from durable polymer materials, such as polyimides.  These high-performance parts help fortify aircraft systems, providing longer life and reduced maintenance for airlines, increasing the bottom line.

As with any complex system made up of numerous components, the parts truly make the whole.  Peak performance is important and this is especially true in aircraft systems.  Parts such as bushings, bearings, thrust washers, and sealing rings found in auxiliary power units (APUs), de-icing systems, cabin air-conditioning systems, actuators, jet engines and landing gear systems are vital to the overall performance and safety of the aircraft.  Machined parts made from high-tech materials, such as polyimides, fortify existing systems by providing a unique combination of performance properties, including low weight, durability, and thermal insulation.  In addition to using high-performance polyimides, working closely with materials suppliers to manage the engineering process from powder-to-parts can help ensure the overall quality and long life of systems components.

The lightweight choice

As fuel costs continue to rise, so does the importance of lightweight components in aircraft systems. There are several choices when it comes to materials, including metals, ceramics and carbon graphite.  Lighter weight materials, such as polyimides, are an effective choice to decrease costs for structural parts in aerospace applications without sacrificing quality or safety.  High performance polyimide parts can help reduce the weight of various aircraft systems, and in turn, the overall weight of the aircraft, decreasing the total amount of fuel consumed.  This can give an OEM the competitive edge, allowing them to provide fleet owners with significant cost savings over time.

Durability in the sky

Another area of primary concern to OEMs and fleet operators is the overall durability of aircraft systems.  Long-lasting parts that provide optimal performance throughout their lifecycle are worth their proverbial weight in gold.  High temperature performance is an important aspect of durability in challenging aerospace applications.  Various parts of a jet engine, for example, can generate 315°C (600°F) of heat, making the integrity and performanNike Converse Shoes