When it comes to aerospace engineering, it goes without saying that choosing the correct material is critical for a successful operation. A material with a vast range of advantages is fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers possess superior physical and chemical properties compared to other materials such as metals and plastics, making them an excellent choice for many aerospace applications.
Let’s take a closer look at why fluoropolymers beat out the competition when it comes to aerospace engineering.
Strength and Durability
Fluoropolymers are exceptionally strong and durable, due to their high-performance chemical characteristics. The most notable advantage of using pure virgin fluoropolymers, as we do at Fluoron, is their resistance to extreme temperatures, oxidation, corrosion, and UV radiation.
Fluoropolymers can withstand extreme temperatures from -200°C up to +200°C, making them ideal for use in various environments including both space and air travel.
Moreover, their chemical resistance makes it perfect for use in highly corrosive environments, which makes it an essential component in many advanced aerospace applications. It has also proven itself useful for components used in extreme conditions due to its ability to maintain shape under pressure, vibration, or shock loading.
Of course, while strength and durability are attributes of all fluoropolymers, the choice of the right fluoropolymer for your aerospace project also matters. PTFE, for instance, is considered to be anti-static, abrasion-resistant, and has the highest wear resistance of all fluoropolymers. On the other hand, PFA is a more niche material and is considered to be highly flexible, in that it is more resistant to cracking under high amounts of applied stress, pressure, or extreme temperatures. Understanding the strength and durability, amongst other properties, to choose the most appropriate fluoropolymer(s) for your specific project is a hallmark of what we do at Fluoron.
Weight Reduction
When compared with traditional materials such as steel and aluminum, fluoropolymer weighs significantly less yet still offers superior strength and durability. This means that aircraft can be built with lighter materials while still maintaining their structural integrity—which leads to reduced fuel consumption and operating costs over time.
In addition, the weight reduction provided by fluoropolymer helps reduce cargo payloads due to the fact that there is less mass required for carrying components throughout the aircraft structure. This provides added safety since there are fewer items that need to be secured against potential turbulence or vibration during flight.
Chemical Resistance and Electrical Performance
Fluoropolymers’ unique chemical characteristics make it resistant against most acids, bases, solvents, oils, greases, fuels, and refrigerants—making it ideal for use in fuel systems or other sensitive components on an aircraft. Its low coefficient of friction also results in less wear on moving parts over time so you can expect longer lasting components with minimal maintenance requirements throughout the lifespan of your aircraft system. Furthermore, its non-stick properties make cleaning quick and easy—and reduces the risk of contamination from dirt or debris buildup on components over time.
Fluoropolymers also provide superior electrical performance compared to other insulation materials because they have low dielectric loss at high frequencies and maintain their electrical integrity even under high levels of stress or strain. This makes them an ideal choice for protecting sensitive electrical wiring from damage caused by temperature extremes or vibration.
Low Friction
Another great advantage offered by virgin fluoropolymers is their low friction properties. This makes them especially helpful for engineering projects that require sliding or moving parts. In addition, due to its slippery surface, it has become an ideal material for use in non-stick coatings for cookware and other food applications. It also helps reduce noise levels when used in automotive components as well as reducing wear on moving parts such as gears and bearings.
Low Cost and Ease of Installation
Heat shrinkable Fluoropolymers are relatively inexpensive when compared to other insulation options such as silicone or polyethylene. They also don’t require any special tools or equipment for installation—all you need is a heat gun! Once heated up using the heat gun, the material will quickly form around an object being insulated which saves time during assembly processes.
Heat-Shrinkable Teflon Tubing Provides Top-of-the-Line Protection
Specifically, heat shrinkable fluoropolymer sleeves are a reliable and cost-effective way to protect wires, cables, and other components from abrasion and corrosion. In aerospace applications, for the reasons above, heat shrinkable teflon sleeves offer superior performance compared to other insulation materials.
Fluoropolymer is Clearly Superior for Aerospace Applications
Fluoropolymers offer numerous advantages compared to other materials commonly used in aerospace engineering such as metals or plastics; from increased strength and durability at extreme temperatures to chemical resistance against corrosion and wear-and-tear over time—not forgetting weight reduction which equates to improved performance efficiency overall. With all these factors combined together, it is no wonder why fluoropolymer has become increasingly popular amongst engineers within the industry looking at ways they can optimize their operations while ensuring safety remains paramount at all times during flight operations around the world today!
Choosing the right material is only the first step in ensuring success for your aerospace project. At Fluoron, our experienced team of problem solvers provide custom manufacturing solutions, fast turnaround, the latest techniques and technologies, and A+ customer service. Contact us today for more information.
