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Competitive pricing is dominating the commercial aircraft market, and greater cost efficiency is a key demand on designers, providing in particular an emphasis on metal to plastic conversion for lost cost assembly. Victrex Peek polymer is one of the first materials to be evaluated for metal to plastic conversion. Describes the product in detail, in particular its high and added value, the design fit and performance contribution, savings made, and utilization in the manufacture of fasteners.

… Spurred by the rapidly growing fabricated polymer composites business, which is valued at $8 billion in the United States, demand for specialty adhesives and coatings is expected to increase dramatically, states a recent report by Kline S.A. of Brussels.

Discusses the definition of corrosion and the meaning it has assumed. Examines the use of polymers and discusses their various problems, such as stretching, deforming and dissolving.

A reliable and safe operation of fuel cells (FCs) is imperative for their application in aviation, especially within the main powertrain. Moreover, performance and lifetime requirements for technical and economic viability are demanding compared to their stationary or road transportation counterparts, while the operating conditions are considered challenging. Prognostics and health management (PHM) could represent a powerful tool for enhancing reliability, durability and performance by detecting, predicting and/or mitigating relevant degradation and failure mechanisms. Against this backdrop, the authors consider it of high relevance to obtain an understanding of the effectiveness of PHM approaches for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) for future aircraft applications, which represents the aim of this paper.

In this study, the authors first discuss application relevant failure modes, review state-of-the-art PHM approaches and, consecutively, assess the potential of FC control strategies for aviation. Aiming for a tangible, comparable metric for this initial assessment, the authors apply a published remaining useful life prediction method to load profiles for a range of aviation-specific applications.

The authors’ analysis shows significant potentials for lifetime improvement by (partial) avoidance of high power operation and rapid load change through control strategies. Tapping into these theoretical potentials, however, requires significant developments in the field of PEFC PHM and a focus on aviation specific degradation and performance testing.

The novelty of this study lies in creating an understanding of the potential of avoiding or preventing certain degradation modes by means of PHM in the PEFC specifically in aviation applications.

Dowty Group Plc (Dowty), through Woodville Polymer Engineering Ltd, a Dowty Polymer Engineering Group company has been awarded a continuation contract to complete the retrofit of the US Fmdash;111 fleet with its patented inflatable swing wing sealing system. The contract, valued at over £3m will last for 12 months with production taking place at Woodville's Swadlincote Division.

Held recently in Amsterdam, the 3rd Aerospace Corrosion Control Symposium attracted speakers and delegates from a wide spectrum of the Aerospace industry, as well as from universities and research bodies. Discussion, debate and the exchange of information were facilitated by the presence of over 50 nationalities.