Spray sealant uses UV to cure in seconds, instead of at least 24 hours
A new sprayable secondary fuel vapor barrier is in development by PPG
(NYSE:PPG) that uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation to cure in seconds
instead of 24 hours or more and can greatly reduce production cycle
times for commercial aircraft manufacturers and subcontractors. The
revolutionary PPG sealant uses PERMAPOL® polymer technology and is
expected to be commercialized in early 2018.
Aviation certification authorities require application of secondary fuel
vapor barriers to the exterior of center wing box fuel tanks for all
transport aircraft having them. These sealants are elastomeric coatings
that provide a redundant level of sealing should the internal primary
integral fuel tank seals ever be compromised. They are intended to
protect, or contain, any vapor and fuel from leaking into the cargo bay
and contacting electrical cables, which could have catastrophic
consequences.
Bill Keller, PPG global market segment manager for aerospace sealants,
said the new PPG secondary fuel vapor barrier offers the greatly reduced
production cycle times required to build planes faster and with greater
efficiency.
“I have met with aircraft manufacturers from around the world who said
having a rapid-curing, easy-to-use product was an absolute priority,”
Keller said. “A UV-cured, sprayable secondary fuel vapor barrier sealant
based on Permapol technology by PPG will be a perfect
fit for these customers.”
Traditionally, products used for these applications are two-part,
chemical-cured polyurethanes. When applied in the production assembly
environment, the material requires at least 24 hours for curing after
application, curtailing other assembly operations in the proximity. This
becomes a major rate-limiting factor for aircraft production.
The PPG UV-cured secondary fuel vapor barrier eliminates this
bottleneck. The material is spray-applied, and then a UV light is used
to completely cure the coating in just a few seconds. After this, all
assembly operations can be resumed immediately.
In addition to curing speed, the product offers other benefits when
compared with currently available secondary fuel vapor barriers. It has
lower solvent content, is isocyanate free, and cures to a totally clear
transparent coating that enables easy structural inspection.
Keller said that multiple transport aircraft manufacturers are intensely
interested in the technology and how it can improve their productivity.
Paris Air Show attendees can learn more about PPG’s new secondary fuel
vapor barrier and other sealants that use ultraviolet radiation for
on-demand curing by visiting Hall 2b Stand C105 and talking with PPG
aerospace sealants experts. The International Paris Air Show is June
19-25 at Le Bourget.
PPG’s global aerospace business offers coatings, sealants,
transparencies, packaging and application systems, and transparent
armor, as well as chemical management and other services. For more
information, visit www.ppgaerospace.com.
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™
At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints,
coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130
years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’
biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path
forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in
more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $14.8 billion in 2016.
We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and
transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.
We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG
Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
Permapol is a registered trademark of PRC-DeSoto
International, Inc.
Media Contacts: Audrey FujimotoPPG+1-818-741-1685 audrey.fujimoto@ppg.com www.ppgaerospace.com orJean VerlichJV Communications+1-724-916-4558 jverlich@jvcommunications.com