Product category:
Moulding materials
News Release from: Victrex | Subject: VICTREX PEEK polymer
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 18 August 2006
Polymer ousts metals in aircraft door
handles
When a certified aviation supplier to Airbus, wanted to comply with stringent aircraft safety standards it chose a polymer instead of metal handles because of its low specific weight.
When Kunststofftechnik Hans Rethwisch (KTR), a certified aviation supplier to Airbus, wanted to comply with stringent aircraft safety standards and reduce the weight on the Airbus' door handle systems, it chose VICTREX PEEK polymer as a replacement for the metal handles because of the polymer's outstanding mechanical strength and low specific weight According to Andrew Ragan, product manager, Victrex USA, "Weight reduction was of paramount importance during the development of the Airbus aircraft
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 26 Nov 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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It was an enormous challenge for KTR to meet the Airbus engineers' demands to manufacture the lower casings of the two-piece door handles in plastics.
Victrex worked closely with the technical designers at KTR on developing the handles using VICTREX PEEK polymer." Characterized by outstanding mechanical strength and low specific weight, VICTREX PEEK polymer features higher specific strength versus traditional construction materials, such as aluminum.
In addition, it is halogen-free and inherently flame resistant with a V-O fire classification.
"Due to its exceptional properties, major companies in the aerospace sector are using the polymer for a number of sophisticated applications," added Ragan.
Initially only a 300mm (12in) version of the door handle was required by Airbus.
However, larger door handles measuring over 500mm (20in) soon became necessary for the A380 aircraft.
"For these complex geometries," said Ragan, "Victrex recommended using an easy flow carbon fiber reinforced grade, which had to go through an extensive qualification process at Airbus." The qualification process included various filling simulations and distortion calculations.
The completion of the injection molds was awaited with anticipation.
"The mold trials and load tests ran smoothly," said Ragan, "Although Airbus engineers demanded additional load tests to be conducted in alternating load directions for safety reasons.
Once the handle casings were injection molded, they were then coated, delivered to Airbus and installed on schedule." Victrex USA, a division of Victrex, is the sole manufacturer and supplier of VICTREX PEEK polymer worldwide.
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