Solder paste, Aircraft components
Keywords: Solder paste, Aircraft components
Cascade Aerospace Inc., of British Columbia, Canada is one of the leading aircraft maintenance companies in the country, with a reputation for providing fast, durable repairs on a variety of aircraft components.
Among the latest products now being used at cascade, is a new low density,bromine-free, flame-retardant epoxy syntactic paste from Huntsman Advanced Materials – Epocast 1633- A41/B. It is being used for the high- strength reinforcement of the fasteners installed in overhead baggage lockers and other honeycomb core parts.
Cascade switched to Epocast 1633- A41/B in response to the latest environmental standards governing the formulations used in flame-retardant epoxies. This lightweight syntactic is the product of several years' research aimed at eliminating the chemical compounds octabromodiphenyl ether (OBDE) and pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE) that have been used by manufacturers to produce flame-retardant compounds.
In addition to sound environmental credentials, Epocast 1633-A41/B epoxy syntactic products claims a compressive strength of 45MPa and are qualified to Airbus AIMS 08-08-001-04 and Boeing BMS 5-28, Type 18, Class 2 specifications.
The syntactic paste used by cascade is grey in colour although materials are also available in light blue, orange and black formulations.
Overhead locker reinforcement
Because of virtually continuous heavy use, overhead lockers are among the aircraft parts that need most frequent repair. Damage is found when the lockers are removed during the strip down on a fuselage inspection. While locker repairs are generally cosmetic, airlines want to keep interiors looking smart and pleasing to passengers.
As part of its refurbishment programme on the lockers, cascade reinforces honeycomb core at points that will be used to mount the locket in the aircraft. Using a manual dispensing gun, a technician fills a pre-drilled hole covered with an insert tab with Epocast 1633 epoxy resin and hardener. Syntactic paste is added until the material flows from the other side of the tab, indicating that the cavity is full and the reinforcement complete. The paste has a two-five minute work life and sets quickly at room temperature to increase productivity.
After the epoxy syntactic cures, the insert tab is removed, excess epoxy is sanded offer and the locker door is reinstalled. The unit is then repainted before being put back on the aircraft.
The 50ml dual cartridge used for dispensing the epoxy syntactic ensures thorough mixing of the components and neat dispensing of the paste with minimal waste. Cartridges can also be resealed and used again with a new nozzle.
Details available from: Huntsman Advanced Materials, Tel: 00 41 61 96 63 87 5, e-mail: waldvogel@huntsman.comweb site: mailo:advancedrnaterials@huntsman.com
