Commonly Preferred Plastic Variants Used as Airplane Plastics and Airplane Composite

Airplanes have to be as lightweight as possible; sure, they weight a lot as it is, but they would have been twice or thrice heavier than they are now if not for using weight-saving materials such as aluminum for outer chassis and lightweight plastic for interiors. Today, we’ll be looking at the common types of plastics that are used as airplane plastics and why.

Polyimide

Polyimide, also known as thermosetting polyimide, is widely used for the insulation properties that make them perfect for making various aircraft interior components such as latches, cabin insulators, nuts and bolts, luggage covers and many more. They are very lightweight and offer phenomenal ductility that is matched by only a few plastics. They are also very durable and strong, hence great for making plastic mechanical components.

Polyetheretherketone

Also known as PEEK, this is a highly versatile polymer that is used in a variety of settings inside an aircraft, from seats to seat valves, instrument panels, control knobs, luggage rack covers, and gears. Major properties of PEEK include peak performance in extreme temperatures, resistant to low pressure at high altitudes, resistance to radiation, high strength, resistance against hydrolysis, great thermal abilities, low flammability, low smoke-producing and high creep resistance.

Polytetrafluoroethylene

Also known as PTFE, the main purpose of PTFE is to be used as insulating plastic inside aircraft. It offers great electrical resistance, hence are used for coating and covering every wire inside an aircraft, from electric wires to motor and fuel control wires. It is also resistant to fire and has low flammability, so it can protect the fire from breaking out in case a wire gets a short circuit. It is also resistant to corrosion and high temperature and can handle low pressures that are common at high altitudes.

Polychlorotrifluoroethylene

Also known as PCTFE, it is mainly used for outdoor exposed components or in the gaps between the exterior and interior of an aircraft. It offers high resistance against corrosion, chemicals, and fire. It also is resistant to moisture accumulation, hence perfect for use in exposed areas of an aircraft. It can resist high to low temperatures. It is also fire resistant, like most aerospace plastics.

General Properties of Airplane Plastics

In addition to lightweight, airplane plastics also must have the following properties:

Ø  Fire-Proof: Airplane fires are very dangerous, especially in the middle of a flight at high altitudes. Hence plastics must be fire-resistant and should not catch fire easily, preventing their rapid spread if any such incident happens.

Ø  Low-Smoke: If they catch fire, plastics should emit minimal smoke so as to not accumulate smoke inside the cabin quickly. This will give the pilot enough time to do an emergency landing. All plastics must be of a low-smoke variant.

Ø  Strong and Durable: Airplanes are typically exposed to high air pressure mid-flight, so the materials must be strong and durable enough to resist such pressure. That is why only hard plastics are used in aircraft manufacturing including components, seats and cable coverings.