Keywords
Citation
(2006), "Elastomer technology keeps tanks tight", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778bad.016
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Elastomer technology keeps tanks tight
Materials
Elastomer technology keeps tanks tight
Keywords: Elastomers, Aircraft, Defence sector
PRONAL of France has developed new elastomer materials for use in manufacturing onboard fuel tanks for helicopters and civilian and military aircraft. The company manufactures fully vulcanised tanks, which guarantee perfect tightness. The new materials developed by PRONAL are said to be highly resistant to hydrocarbons and additives. They claim an excellent strength/weight ratio, and are believed to be lighter than anything else on the market.
PRONAL offers different versions of the tanks – anti-crash tanks, which are not damaged if the aircraft crashes, and self-sealing tanks, which prevent leakage into the aircraft if they are hit by missiles. These tanks can be used as main kerosene tanks for business jets or military aircraft and as extra tanks to extend the range of an aircraft.
The company has long been a major player in the field of aeronautic and military safety. The armed forces of various countries are regular customers and 65 percent of the company's turnover is made on the export market. PRONAL was chosen by EMBRAER, the fourth largest manufacturer of business jets in the world, to produce the main tanks for its P145 and P135 jets.
PRONAL is ISO 9001 Version 2000 certified. In the aerospace sector, its centre is PART-145 approved for the maintenance and repair of all types of tanks and PART-21 approved for the design and manufacture of tanks for the civilian and military markets.