Choosing the right adhesives for aerospace interiors

摘要

Three main drivers govern all materials used in aircraft interiors: passenger safety, weight management and aesthetics. Apart from safety, the critical requirements for adhesives are that they deliver durability and ensure compliance with industry regulations. From the interiors manufacturer's point of view, selecting the correct adhesives can also result in productivity gains. Aircraft interior structures are largely made from composite panels, chosen for their light weight and high strength-to-weight ratio. These are fabricated from face sheets made from phenolic resin and fibreglass, aluminium or ara-mid fibre, with a honeycomb core structure of Nomex, aluminium or aramid fibre and finished with decorative laminates and veneers or paint. Adhesives play a key role at all levels in the construction of interior components, from core splicing to insert potting, edge filling, panel assembly, veneer application and reinforcement for fixtures and fittings.