CERAM helps aerospace industry meet green targets

Citation

(2009), "CERAM helps aerospace industry meet green targets", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2009.12781fab.023

CERAM helps aerospace industry meet green targets

Article Type: News and views From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 6

CERAM, a global expert in materials testing, analysis and consultancy, has published a new white paper outlining how techniques for both the chemical and topographical characterisation of surfaces and interfaces can be applied to assist the aerospace industry in reducing its environmental impact. How surface characterisation is helping the aerospace industry achieve environmental targets examines the application of surface analysis techniques on composite material development, coating formulation and substrate characterisation. This kind of analysis plays an important role in the effort to develop new, “greener” materials, components and technologies for the aerospace industry.

Author of the paper, Dr Chris Pickles, general manager of CERAM Surface And Materials Analysis, explains: “The green agenda continues to have a strong influence on developments in aerospace. The REACH directive, along with other regulatory pressures, is aiming for the removal of chromium from anti-corrosion coatings by 2013, and fuel burn reduction is driving the development of lighter-weight composites. The understanding of surface and interface functionality underpins many of the technological advances that are supporting these developments, as is described in this white paper.”

The white paper provides an insight into how surface analysis techniques are used both to provide characterisation analysis to inform the development of new technologies and materials, and to provide problem-solving investigation of materials that are not performing optimally.

CERAM offers expertise and technologies that specialise in: surface and interface analysis; multi-element depth profiling; elemental and molecular imaging; surface topography; materials selection and characterisation; verification, validation and manufacturing support; and performance/failure evaluation.