PPG Industries’ (NYSE:PPG) aerospace business has qualified PRC(R) FIP Strip form-in-place sealant tape to SAE International’s Aerospace Material Specification 3379 for polysulfide rubber preformed strips used to seal removable doors, skins and panels.
PPG Aerospace global segment manager for aerospace sealants Bill Keller said that AMS qualification is important in product selection for airframe manufacturing. However, as a specification did not exist when PRC FIP Strip sealant was introduced, PPG initiated development of AMS 3379.
"Because PRC FIP Strip sealant tape is unique, there was no specification to establish material standards," Keller said.
"We wanted product performance verified by independent testing required to meet a specification, so we worked with SAE and Lockheed Martin in development of the specification.
"Now airframe manufacturers that use PRC FIP Strip sealant know it performs according to the requirements of this industry standard."
Compared with traditional wet-applied sealants, easy-to-use PRC FIP Strip sealant tape significantly reduces application time and clean-up costs, Keller added.
It can decrease what is traditionally a multi-shift process down to single-shift operation in just four to six hours. Available in a variety of sizes and shapes, as well as custom configurations, lengths and rolls, the sealant is delivered premixed and frozen.
It is used by general aviation, commercial and military aircraft manufacturers in applications that include sealing wing fairings and access doors.
PPG Aerospace is the aerospace products and services business of PPG Industries. PPG Aerospace – PRC-DeSoto is the leading global producer of aerospace sealants, coatings, and packaging and application systems, and PPG Aerospace – Transparencies is the world’s largest supplier of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies.
