As technology advances in the aviation, some procedures that go unnoticed by engers have made significant advances, one of them is the use of adhesives for fixing parts and ts in aircraft.
In addition, research shows that the use of adhesives contributes to the efficiency of an aircraft, as the reduction of mechanical connections contributes to a lower weight in the composition of the fuselage, in addition to reducing the drag of the aircraft structure while flying, and thus, there is a less fuel use.
With so many improvements in the gluing procedure on aircraft structures, the use of adhesives collaborated so that the latest generation aircraft gave up the use of traditional rivets in certain structural points, without giving up resistance in fixing ts and operational safety.
The aerospace industry is migrating the production of metallic aircraft to models composed of carbon fiber. This gradual update provided aircraft that were much more resistant, lighter and safer than those made of aluminum.
Planes made from carbon fiber can be up to 30% lighter compared to metal aircraft, consuming less fuel and carrying a greater payload. Weight reduction leads to lower fuel consumption, requires less power from the engine and turbine system and also allows for an increase in the payload carried.
The high performance achieved by carbon fiber models is possible thanks to solutions developed especially for the characteristics of these aircraft. Parts made of composite materials have their structures reinforced with industrial adhesives applied to mechanical fasteners to ensure maximum adhesion. The adhesives are more resistant to the weather and the most varied adversities, protecting against fatigue. extreme temperatures, vibrations and pressure changes.
“Adhesives work in conjunction with rivets, screws and other structures to provide ultra-strength bonding materials. The glue completely fills the spaces of the mechanical fasteners, attaching the pieces and keeping them in the same position regardless of the ambient conditions. Henkel offers a broad portfolio for the aerospace industry, whether in the production of adhesive films, paste adhesives and others”, explains Pierre Formanek, national coordinator of key aviation s at Henkel.
Regarding aircraft strength and safety, Pierre Formanek exemplifies the behavior of adhesive solutions. Unlike metallic threaded connections, which concentrate their force at a certain point, the adhesive acts on a much larger area of the part, and therefore offers more resistance.
“Let's assume that two sheets were stapled together. The fixing points will only be in the diameter where the sheets received the staples. In an adhesive process, the two sheets would be fixed across its surface, one glued to the other, enhancing its performance. The same happens in aviation”, points out the Henkel professional.
High performance in aviation in the adhesion of various materials
Another differential of adhesive in aviation is its versatility. Aviation glues also achieve maximum performance when fixing multi-materials, such as, for example, steel with aluminum, composite materials with aluminum, plastic with steel, among others.
“Without adhesives we wouldn't have modern planes made of carbon, as they would be much heavier and with very little functionality. Adhesive fixing manages to unite materials of different characteristics with greater durability and is also indicated for areas of the plane where there is no need to dismantle it”, concludes Pierre Formanek.
With information: Henkel
