Keywords
Citation
(1998), "GelTek conductive gasket improves reliability of corrosion prevention system", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 45 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.1998.12845dab.005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited
GelTek conductive gasket improves reliability of corrosion prevention system
Methods
GelTek conductive gasket improves reliability of corrosion prevention system
Keywords Aircraft, Corrosion, Raychem
Raychem is introducing a new conductive gel gasket that claims to provide aircraft avionics and maintenance managers with more reliable, cost-effective corrosion protection between an aircraft's antennas and its fuselage (Plate 2). Proven through extensive testing, the GelTek conductive gasket will reduce the time and cost associated with replacing antennas and thus lead to longer antenna life and reduced aircraft downtime.
Plate 2
Raychem's new
conductive gel gasket
An alternative to conventional aircraft antenna corrosion prevention methods using corrosion resistant coatings, the conductive gasket consists of an aluminium wire cloth embedded in a high-performance, non-hazardous, crosslinked fluorosilicone gel sealant. The GelTek gasket resists contamination from fuel and other liquids that can create corrosive environments. But unlike anti-corrosion coatings, the GelTek gasket requires no special installation tools or curing time. Maintenance engineers simply peel away the gasket's plastic backing and apply it to the bottom of the antenna or aircraft fuselage in one easy step.
"We have responded to the aviation industry's need for reduced downtime by using Raychem's proven gel technology to create a reliable and removable antenna gasket that makes inspection and installation significantly easier", says Brian Procter, European aerospace market manager.
GelTek gaskets provide more reliable corrosion protection between an aircraft's antenna and fuselage than do conventional anti-corrosion coatings. Several airlines have reportedly tested GelTek gaskets in flight, some for as long as six months. No corrosion has been observed during the periods of evaluation, according to airline reports.
Designed to be removable without abrasion, GelTek gaskets minimise the risk of damaging the antennas or aircraft skin when removal is required. Once the antennas are removed, the gaskets are simply peeled away and replaced prior to reinstallation. This eliminates the time-consuming and delicate task of scraping or cleaning the fuselage when replacing anti-corrosion coatings and post-cured sealants.
Using Raychem's one-step gel material also makes the gasket less craft sensitive than applying multiple corrosion resistant coatings and epoxy sealants to effectively seal out water and other contaminants from between the antenna and fuselage. The GelTek gasket's compressed state is a thin, aerodynamic 22 mils. In addition, the gasket provides excellent grounding of the antennas to the fuselage to dissipate static charges and lighting strikes. Electrical bonding values between the antenna base and the aircraft skin are significantly less than the 25 milliohm requirement typical of OEM grounding specifications.
Gaskets are available in precut shapes or sheets that can be cut to fit any antenna configuration.
Details are available from Raychem Ltd. Tel: + 44(0) 1793 528171; Fax: + 44(0) 1793 572276.