Aircraft
VICTREX PEEK polymers can replace metals in both interior and exterior aircraft parts.***

High-Performance Metal Replacement Materials to Help Achieve Weight Reduction, Better Fuel Economy & Cost Savings

Victrex, the world’s leading manufacturer of VICTREX PEEK polymer, offers excellent, high-performance thermoplastics that allow engineers and designers to reach new levels of systems cost savings, differentiation, and quality. The polymer’s design and processing flexibility make it a great choice for aerospace applications.

VICTREX PEEK Polymers for Reliable Metal Replacement Solutions

VICTREX PEEK polymers may successfully replace metals such as aluminum, titanium, magnesium, bronze, corrosion-resistant (CRES) or stainless steel and specialty alloys because it offers a unique combination of mechanical, thermal and tribological properties, combined with excellent chemical resistance and electrical performance, for use in aircraft components including wing, engine and fuel systems. VICTREX PEEK polymers can be used as a matrix for thermoplastic composite prepregs made of carbon, glass or aramid continuous fibers.

Several VICTREX PEEK polymer grades and compounds are available to maximize mechanical properties and improve moldability. It is readily available in finished form such as stock shapes, injection and compression molded parts, films and coatings. Victrex has introduced APTIV™ Films and VICOTE® Coatings - based on VICTREX PEEK polymer - to optimize consistency in a range of product forms.

Quality Replacement Materials for Metals in Aerospace Applications

Aerospace engineers require lightweight materials that offer processing flexibility, reduce manufacturing costs, and provide durability in harsh environments. VICTREX PEEK polymer has successfully displaced metals, traditional thermoset composites and other plastics in a growing number of aerospace applications. It is exceptionally strong, lightweight, inherently flame retardant, and can be easily fabricated into tight tolerance parts.

VICTREX PEEK polymer has been specified in both commercial and military aircraft components for over twenty years. It has been officially qualified by many aircraft manufacturers globally. VICTREX PEEK-based products can be supplied to the military specification MIL-P-46183. VICTREX PEEK grades and APTIV films can meet increasingly stringent FAA regulatory standards including FAR 25.853 and 25.856(a) radiant panel tests. APTIV film is also a key component in new burn-through systems that meet FAR 25.856(b).

Metal Replacement Benefits for the Aerospace Industry:

  • High temperature performance
  • Weight reduction
  • Fuel economy
  • Noise reduction
  • Vibration dampening
  • Fatigue performance
  • Wear resistance
  • Chemical resistance
  • Hydrolysis resistance
  • Fire, smoke and toxicity performance
  • Electrical properties

VICTREX PEEK Polymer Aerospace Successes:

VICTREX PEEK polymer has successfully been used on a wide range of aircrafts in both pressurized and unpressurized zones. Durability, flame retardant properties, low smoke and toxicity enhance interior applications and complementary systems. Chemical and ozone resistance, thermal properties and impact resistance contribute to its success in exterior applications.

Electric Wire Bundle and Tubing Clamps:

Wiring and Cable Clamps
Examples of Wiring and Cable Clamps made from VICTREX PEEK polymer*

VICTREX PEEK polymer has been coupled with a proprietary silicone overmolding process from Amphenol PCD to create a new line of wiring and tubing clamps that deliver significant weight and cost savings on the new Boeing 787 aircraft.

Benefits of VICTREX PEEK:
  • Weight reduction of approximately 20% vs.stainless steel
  • Part count is reduced by consolidation
  • Completely non-corrosive and non-conductive
  • Scalable design available in a range of sizes:
  • 15 P-clamps, 20 Omega clamps
  • Compatible with wire bundles or tubes from 6 mm to 50 mm diameter
  • Chemical resistance
  • Easy installation for lean manufacturing
Read more about the functions & benefits of high performance P-clamps and Omega clamps made with VICTREX PEEK polymer.

Aircraft Door Handles:

door handles
Examples of door handles made from VICTREX PEEK polymer**

Weight reduction was paramount when developing the Airbus A380, including the door handle systems. VICTREX PEEK polymer was the only material to survive the Airbus test program for door handles. Components are injection molded and have complex geometries with numerous ribbing and long flow paths.

Benefits of VICTREX PEEK:
  • Weight reduction
  • Halogen-free and inherently flame resistant
  • Superior mechanical properties
  • Standardizing a consistent design throughout
  • Scalable design available in range of sizes
Read more about how our high performance polymer was selected for the Airbus A380.

Landing Gear Hubcap:

Boeing 777 hubcap
Boeing 777 hubcap made from VICTREX PEEK polymer

New Boeing 777 aircraft will be equipped with the Crane Tire and Brake Monitoring System which includes active pressure sensors and transmission of real-time data to the cockpit. The system specifies VICTREX PEEK polymer in the hubcap because of its high temperature performance, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance. Aircraft landing gear must survive some of the most extreme environments and loading conditions, making VICTREX PEEK a good metal replacement material to previously used Aluminum.

Benefits of VICTREX PEEK:
  • Weight reduction of ~20 lb per plane
  • Wide temperature range of operation (-54°C at altitude, > 200°C on braking)
  • Mechanical properties to resist repeated hard landings
  • Resistance to impacts from flying debris
  • Chemical resistance to jet fuel, hydraulic fluid, and de-icing solution
  • Resistance to ozone
  • Paintable for appearance and enhanced UV resistance
Read more about the Boeing 777 aircraft metal replacement solution.

*
Courtesy of Amphenol PCD

**
Courtesy of Kunststofftechnik Hans Rethwisch GmbH: KTR

***
Courtesy of The Boeing Company


For more information on VICTREX PEEK Polymers visit www.victrex.com or www.victrex.mobi

The Victrex team continues to stay focused and passionate about its deep expertise in polyetheretherketones, and continues to expand our product offering through the development of unique polymers, proprietary blends, and high performance compounds.

VICTREX® is a registered trademark of Victrex Manufacturing Limited. PEEK™, PEEK-HT™ and APTIV™ are trademarks of Victrex plc. VICOTE® is a registered trademark of Victrex plc.

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High temperature solutions for lightweight interior and exterior aerospace applications
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A great material solution for designers and engineers, VICTREX PEEK polymer delivers versatility, reliability and performance
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