Fluoropolymers send us to space!
The materials used to travel in aerospace are chosen because they provide the essentials for smooth, efficient, and safe engineering. This is why it is so important to understand the benefits that can come from the use of fluoropolymers in aerospace!
Their benefits in aerospace applications include being stronger and more durable than other materials, as well as providing a higher resistance to heat and chemicals while increasing electrical performance.
In this article, we will provide a complete overview of the main benefits that using fluoropolymers in aerospace applications can bring to the table. This will also establish what makes fluoropolymers so much better than regular plastic or metal materials used in aerospace engineering. With so much to cover, let’s get started!
Benefits of Use
As previously mentioned, when manufacturing something as volatile and potentially dangerous as aerospace machinery, it is crucial to have materials that not only work well, but provide as many benefits toward safety and efficiency as possible.
There are so many varying factors to consider in this field that it can be difficult to narrow down what an engineer needs from a particular material. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of the 3 main benefits of fluoropolymers, specifically regarding their relation to usage in aerospace engineering! Take a look below to learn why this material is even better than metal or plastic:
- Fluoropolymers are strong and durable
- Fluoropolymers are chemical and heat-resistant
- Fluoropolymers increase performance
Now that we’ve narrowed down what makes such a useful material so beneficial, let’s take a closer look at each way this material beats out the others!
Fluoropolymers Are Strong and Durable
Fluoropolymers are without equal when it comes to resisting the high temperatures that tend to be intrinsically involved with the use of aircraft. High temperatures are not the only thing that fluoropolymers can handle with ease, though; they are also able to last longer without corroding or succumbing to oxidation.
The stronger and more durable the chemical makeup of a material, like fluoropolymers, the more useful they are. This is true not only for their application and safety, but in terms of cost-efficiency as well, as they’ll need to be replaced less frequently.
Fluoropolymers are Chemical Resistant
The fuel systems in aircraft can pose a risk of exposure to several chemical fluids that may cause damage to certain materials. Some of these chemicals include oil, fuel, solvents, and even refrigerants. However, fluoropolymers are low in terms of coefficient friction, and they therefore resist the damaging properties of these substances.
As such, they can be used to protect fuel-exposed areas of an aircraft and especially any areas with accessible electrical wiring.
Fluoropolymers Increase Performance
Finally, the electrical performance of aerospace craft is boosted by the use of fluoropolymers. They are capable of keeping their electrical integrity intact regardless of how high the strain is that is being placed on the material itself.
They are also, as previously mentioned, able to boost this performance without succumbing to wear and tear, despite the extreme nature of aerospace machinery.
In Conclusion
To sum it all up, the use of fluoropolymers in aerospace engineering is the most beneficial asset when it comes to what the best materials are. This is thanks to the fact that fluoropolymers are even stronger and able to withstand more than common plastic or metal materials. They are also resistant to chemicals while increasing performance, especially for electrical purposes!
For these reasons, choosing to utilize these top-of-the-line fluoropolymers for aerospace engineering materials should be a no-brainer!