Sector

Aerospace sealing solutions

O-Rings and gaskets are used for static sealing in aero engines, including gearbox, air, oil and fuel systems.

Aerospace

Sealing for demanding aerospace environments

The equipment that moves today’s aerospace industry is more advanced than ever before. Sealing solutions and materials must keep up with demanding environments, aggressive chemicals, high temperatures and a range of pressures.

O-Rings and gaskets are used for static sealing in various parts of aero engines, including the gearbox, air, oil and fuel systems.

Example sealing applications

  • Landing gear assembly sealing – hydraulics, wheel and brake, actuator.
  • Flight control sealing – hydraulics, fuel pump, controls, lines, connectors and Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) seals.
  • Engine sealing – hydraulics, fuel lines, connectors, lubrication and fuel system seals.

Material selection

Selecting the correct elastomeric material for O-Ring sealing is key for successful performance.

Fluorocarbon, including Viton® / FKM, is commonly used in aerospace sealing applications. Other derivatives such as Type GF may also be specified. Recent developments in fluorocarbon compounds have helped minimise low temperature concerns.

With newer aero engines encountering extreme temperatures, sealing technology has advanced to resist these conditions. Perfluoroelastomers (FFKM) have been developed to suit these applications.

General considerations

Typical considerations include fuel resistance, flex-fuel resistance, chemical resistance and permeation resistance.

General consideration Polymers to consider / used in applications
Fuel resistance, flex-fuels including M.T.B.E., MeOH and EtOH, chemical resistance and permeation resistance. Perfluoroelastomers (FFKM), Fluorocarbons (FKM), Fluorosilicone (FVMQ), Saturated Nitriles (HNBR), Nitriles (NBR).

MIL spec and AMS specifications

These documents and standards describe various sizes and materials used mainly in the aerospace, defence and military industries. These standards usually have a suffix such as MIL, MIL-R, AS or AMS. Eastern Seals supply to many of these specifications.

Eastern Seals are a UK and European distributor for Precix Inc, USA, a major manufacturer of high quality products used in aerospace, defence and military applications. Precix are one of the most trusted names in fuel seals, and are certified to AS9100 and AS7115 with ISO/IEC ISO17025:99 Material Laboratory.

Many MIL / AS standards require special packaging for parts. For example, several have a requirement for individual packing and printed bags. Our facility utilises a special purpose bagging machine, giving us the capability to supply to these standards if required.