In the realm of aerospace engineering, the demands placed on gaskets for flange-to-flange assemblies – such as antennas, access panels, radars, and lighting – are nothing short of premium. From electrical conductivity to EMI shielding, fluid and pressure sealing, to galvanic corrosion mitigation, these components must meet a myriad of criteria to ensure optimal performance.
Enter fully-cured, urethane-filled expanded aluminum gaskets. Not only do they meet all these stringent requirements, but they also offer a host of performance enhancements compared to other sealing solutions. Expect a 33% reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) due to decreased assembly rework and material replacement.
What sets these gaskets apart? It all boils down to the material. With impressive electrical through-resistance, shielding effectiveness, corrosion resistance, fluid resistance, and a wide temperature operating range, urethane-filled expanded aluminum gaskets stand out from the crowd.
Let’s delve into why these gaskets offer significant advantages:
Sealing Performance:
Design engineers prioritize sealing performance above all else. The high conformability of low-modulus urethane binder systems ensures leak-path elimination and efficient sealing, adapting to surface irregularities seamlessly.
Pressure and Fluid Sealing:
These gaskets excel in atmospheric pressure and fluid sealing, thanks to the high surface affinity and conformance of urethane binder systems. Whether it’s externally mounted aircraft devices or the fuselage interface, expect efficient sealing even under specified torque values and exposure to aviation fluids.
Electrical Conductivity:
In aerospace applications, electrical conductivity is paramount for lightning strike survivability and EMI shielding. Expanded aluminum outperforms particle-filled or woven mesh alternatives by offering homogenous electrical performance, optimizing attenuation and grounding.
Corrosion Mitigation:
Minimizing corrosion is crucial for reducing aircraft total cost of ownership. Urethane-filled expanded aluminum gaskets mitigate moisture ingress and electrolytic environments, while galvanically matching the sealing solution with the mating assembly, thus minimizing rework and component replacement.
Installation Ease:
With a symmetrical gasket cross-section, installation becomes straightforward, improving process yields without the need to consider Z-axis orientation.
In essence, urethane-filled expanded aluminum gaskets provide an all-encompassing solution for aerospace assemblies, meeting premium requirements while delivering performance enhancements across the board.
