TRB Lightweight Panels and Structures for the Aerospace Industry

TRB designs and manufactures lightweight panels and structures for the aerospace industry.

Aerospace panels and complete assemblies

TRB manufactures specialised sandwich panels, which can be used for applications where lightweight, stiff panels are required.

TRB combines facing and core skins and bonds them with a high-quality adhesive.

This range includes the cellite 840 phenolic faced, nomex, honeycomb sandwich panel, which is a specially engineered panel for space application.

TRB also offers lightweight storage compartments for first and business class seating in the Airbus A318, cabin crew rest areas for long distance service flights and flight simulators.

Autoclave-manufactured components

TRB also has extensive in-house capabilities, which includes an autoclave system to manufacture high-performance composite components. The vessel is designed and manufactured to meet the requirements of PD 5500, it is 3m in length and has a process mass of up to 500kg, as well as a design pressure of 10bar at 250°C.

The autoclave system compliments TRB’s existing range of machines for composite manufacture that include ovens, computer-controlled, multi-daylight heated platen presses for high-performance material bonding and a 4,000ft² ISO 14644 class clean room.

TRB Lightweight Structures also holds AS9100 (BS EN 9100) accreditation along with ISO 9001. S9100 is the industry-recognised standard of quality and risk management for the aerospace and defence industry aimed at improving service standards and product reliability, which is supported by the world’s leading aerospace companies and supply chains.

About TRB

Established in 1952, its founder George Newell already had more than a decade of experience working with innovative materials in the construction of aircraft. He helped to pioneer the implementation of wooden sandwich construction with a balsa core, which was used to build several well-known aeroplanes. During this time, he experimented with flax-based prepreg, something still in use today, and he co-developed an adhesive called Redux®.

Redux® fundamentally changed the aerospace industry, allowing wing and fuselage panels to be stronger and lighter than a riveted structure. It also made possible early composite structures, joining aluminium to wood.

TRB Participate In Meeting Carbon Neutrality By 2020

The aerospace industry has committed to being carbon neutral by 2020. As such an estimated $1.3tr will be spent on 12,000 new aircraft to meet the target of saving 2.2 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2020.

Recently applying for funding to co-develop a revolutionary panel that will eliminate carcinogens from the production of aerospace grade panels, TRB hopes to manufacture a product that participates in the aerospace industry meeting its target of carbon neutrality by 2020.

With extensive in-house capabilities, industry knowledge and a clear understanding of the challenges faced by aircraft manufacturers, TRB are in an ideal position to service the growing demands of the aerospace industry.