Aerospace

Plastic materials are used for a wide variety of aerospace applications including aesthetically pleasing interior components, transparent windows and canopies, seals for oxygen systems, and spline adapters for transmitting torque with minimal wear.

Curbell Plastics has decades of aerospace experience providing certifications and traceability, plastic materials expertise, ISO 9001:2015 certification and top quality materials that meet your requirements.

We offer materials that meet the following aerospace specifications:

• Airbus ABD0031
• ASTM 4802/LP391
• Boeing BSS 7239
• FAR 25.853(a) Part 1 (a)(i)
• FAR 25.853(a) Part 1 (a)(ii)
• MIL-PRF-25690
• MIL-PRF-5425
• MIL-PRF-8184
• SAE AMS 3650
• SAE AMS 3656
• SAE AMS 3661
• SAE AMS 3664
• SAE AMS 3667
• SAE AMS 3669
• SAE AMS 3670
• SAE AMS 3678
• SAE AMS 3756
• SAE AMS-P-21922
• SAE AMS-P-83310

Replace Metals with Plastics, to Achieve Weight & Cost Savings

High performance engineering plastics are a natural fit for the aerospace industry due to their light weight compared with other industrial materials. A typical engineering polymer has half the density of aluminum or glass and 1/6th the density of steel.

For Demanding Applications in Aviation, Plastics Help You Soar

Leading aerospace companies use our lightweight plastics to keep passengers comfortable, protect vital electronics, and improve the reliability of mission-critical components.

Cabin Interiors

Aerospace grades of plastic sheet such as KYDEX® Thermoplastics, a family of high impact, fire-rated thermoplastic materials and Royalite®, fire-rated, rigid ABS/PVC thermoplastic materials, are engineered to have the durability, cleaning chemical resistance, and fire resistance required for aircraft interiors. These materials are thermoformed and used as tray tables, arm rests, and seat backs.

Back-lit Panels

Aerospace grades of TUFFAK® polycarbonate, are used for back-lit instrument panels and LED light diffusers.

Protection

Plastic spiral wrap insulation, convoluted tubing, and heat shrink tubing are used to protect wire and cable in the aircraft cabin from vibration and abrasion during flight.

Locking Fasteners 

DuPont™ Vespel® is often specified for the locking elements of aerospace locking fasteners. This material has moderate modulus, ductile behavior, and good stress relaxation characteristics. SP-1 is the unfilled grade. SP-21 has a solid lubricant in the formulation that reduces the torque required for assembly and disassembly of locking fasteners. DuPont™ Vespel® is capable of operating throughout a wide temperature range from extremely cold to elevated temperatures.

Spline Adapters

Spline adapters fit between mating metal splines that are used to transmit torque from drive shafts to various aircraft systems. DuPont™ Vespel® is an outstanding material for spline adapters since it is strong enough to withstand the required mechanical loads while still be ductile enough to allow for some degree of shaft misalignment. DuPont™ Vespel® spline adapters can be used to increase wear life and reduce vibration in aerospace applications.

Valve Components

Aircraft and spacecraft rely on the controlled flow of liquids and gasses, including hydraulic fluids, lubricating oils, cabin air, and engine bleed air during operation. Valves play an important role in controlling the flow of aircraft fluids and gases and high performance polymers such as PEEK, PCTFE, and DuPont™ Vespel®, are often used for valve seats and seals. These materials have the chemical resistance, creep resistance, and wear properties required for aircraft fluid handling applications.