Demand for commercial aircraft is booming worldwide and no other industry relies as heavily on lightweight design as aviation does. Whilst optimum strength is crucial, weight must be kept to a minimum. With this in mind, DELO has developed its new, two-component epoxy resin especially for lightweight structural joints in aircraft interiors, focusing on fast build-up of strength.
DELO-DUOPOX AB8162 cures at room temperature, but has been optimised for temperature-accelerated curing. For example, at a temperature of 60°C, a curing time of only 15 minutes is sufficient to achieve functional strength (>= 10MPa). Consequently, components can be further processed after this short time, which significantly speeds up production processes.
The adhesive is multipurpose, including coating or bonding of insert fasteners. With its beige-yellowish colour, it has been visually adapted to honeycomb sandwich panels, which are frequently used in the production of aircraft.
DELO-DUOPOX AB8162 ensures consistently high strength, even under the influence of both temperature and aging, and features excellent resistance to media such as Skydrol, for example. This is a hydraulic fluid that is commonly used in aviation.
Due to the importance of safety, the materials used in aircraft interiors must fulfil high fire protection requirements. These are met by the flame-retardant DELO-DUOPOX AB8162. This product complies with the requirements of FST tests according to CS/FAR Part 25 §25.853 (a)(1)(ii) and those of the Airbus standard ABD0031. In these tests, a rod-shaped sample of pure adhesive is held over a Bunsen burner flame for 12 seconds. After this time the adhesive must extinguish itself. It is also required to achieve low flue gas density and a low toxicity level.
The DELO-AUTOMIX dispensing system allows the adhesive to be processed just like a one component product, with its thixotropic properties ensuring excellent flow behaviour. When the shear stress stops at the end of the dispensing process, viscosity will increase again, preventing the adhesive from flowing out.
The aerospace industry is one of DELO’s growth markets. Recently, the company was presented with a ‘Top Supplier’ award by the Austrian supplier FACC.
Biog
Will joined Fastener + Fixing Magazine in 2007 and over the last 15 years has experienced every facet of the fastener sector - interviewing key figures within the industry and visiting leading companies and exhibitions around the globe.
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