Use of Thermoplastic for Airplane Interiors

In recent years, the use of plastic for aircraft interiors has surged in demand to achieve weight and cost-saving. According to a report, thousands of kilograms of thermosets composites are already used for cabin interiors in every commercial jet, due to the neat and reinforced high-performance engineering thermoplastics that make it a natural fit for the aerospace industry compared to other industrial materials. Common applications including floor, ceiling, door, sidewall panels, overhead storage bins, window surroundings, ducting, partitions, and much more.

Thermoplastics with their introduction have proved to be beneficial and initially started to replace aluminum and titanium fasteners as well as smaller structural elements present in the interior of the Aircrafts. While enhancing the interior overall, this surge in demand is attributed to several benefits.

●   Replacing metals with lighter grade plastics such as Simona Boltaron’s 9000 and 4000 Series materials, a family of high impact materials that meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements for flammability, smoke, and heat release for aircraft interiors not only makes economic sense but also helps to reduce the environmental impact of each flight. Plus, plastics used for aircraft interiors have the durability and chemical resistance required for aircraft interiors, it also provides flexibility for improving the appearance of the cabin for more complex shapes or fittings.

 ●  Thermoplastics are very durable. During use, these are resistant to scratches and nicks that might result from the foot traffic, prolonging the aircraft interior’s new appearance. Plastics can also withstand hostile environments with intense temperatures, making them an ideal material for airplanes that have to experience a wide range of conditions. Though, hostile environments aren’t always made so by temperatures it also involves exposure to harsh chemicals. For instance, the high chemical resistance of thermoplastics means that it can be completely functional even when it is submerged in a severe chemical environment where metals have the chance of dissolving and deforming. This dimensional and density stability has made it a favorite for aircraft components, whether for interior, mechanical, or exterior application.

In the aerospace industry, it is important to provide materials that are flame retardant in order to meet very strict regulatory compliance. Plus, there are a multitude of non-regulatory but still important customer needs that plastic has to cover on the inside of the airplane. When compared to air frame parts, the interior may seem to be less demanding structurally but there are a lot of specialized needs and mechanical requirements that have to be met, including very stringent fire, smoke, and toxicity numbers as well as for providing an aesthetic, consistent and durable framework for the overall interior.

 Here are some obvious or unexpected nook and crannies where plastic is used in Aeroplane:

●      Interior wall panels

●      Luggage compartment

●      Aircraft doors

●      Ventilation ducting and seals

●      Wiring conduits

For the weight-conscious applications, especially in the aircraft interiors, thermoplastics high strength-to-weight ratios make plastic compounds ideal. As the components are now ten times lighter than their metal counterparts there is also an increase in fuel-efficiency.

Advances in thermoplastic manufacturing and processing have allowed for great flexibility to design revolutionary aircraft layouts that are not only ergonomic but more aesthetically pleasing as well. Thermoplastic is much easier to mold and can be machined into geometrically complex parts while being much lighter and just as safe as materials like rubber and aluminum. It can be machined to extremely tight tolerances which can be critical for aerospace applications. All-in-all, especially for application in aerospace sectors the main reason behind the success of the material is its flexibility and customization. Thermoplastics for aerospace are built with specific properties in mind, including shock resistance, flame retardancy, high strength-to-weight, and low smoke and toxicity, offering a multitude of benefits. So, adding the right adhesive can help you incorporate more plastics into the production line of aircraft so everyone can experience added values.