Plastics in the Aerospace Industry
Plastic services offer many advantages to the aerospace industry for a number of reasons. One of the most important advantages is the lightweight, high-density, and durable material of plastic in comparison to aluminum and other traditional aerospace materials. In recent years, thermoplastic material has grown to be one of the most used in the aerospace industry due to the ease of its reengineering as well as its inexpensive cost.
Plastics in the aerospace industry have been changing the way manufacturers engineer aircrafts since the mid-to-late 20th century. A number of benefits come from implementing plastic in aircrafts, including being fuel efficient, being a lightweight material for carrying heavyweight cargo, and a substantial lifespan. Considering aerospace in the military, flight ranges are significantly extended for longer flight paths. Modules for thrust and navigational functionality, structural elements, and interior components today are made primarily with plastic material.
Plastic has various advantages, making them attractive materials for aerospace engineering:
- Lightweight
- Corrosion-resistance
- Impact-resistance
- Chemical-resistance
- Strength and durability
Non-corrosive, heat-resistant plastics like PEEK (or glass beads) can be engineered to replace aluminum screws, bolts, and fasteners. There are no additional optimizations required in the design of existing engineered parts, allowing for the instant replacement of OEM parts.
Washers, guides, gaskets, spacers, seals, and brackets are lightweight aerospace plastic parts where high-heat plastics can benefit manufacturers much more than metals. These components provide mechanical and thermal stability, high degrees of insulation, inflammability, reduced exhaustion in the vacuum, and heightened jet fuel resistance.
One of the most beneficial developments in the aerospace industry today is the progressive use of thermoplastics rather than thermosets, which are typically used to make composite plastic parts. The curing process in the engineering cycle is less critical because thermoplastic polymers can be melted down so easily. Thermoplastics are also more flexible and don’t break and bind as often comparatively to thermosets. This allows thermoplastic to be melted down and welded back into various parts other than their original engineering.
Larger integrated thermoplastic parts can be made from thermoplastic resin composites in lieu of adhesive bonding, and the assembly of mechanical joints in aircraft engineering is a lot less challenging. No shims are needed for thermoplastic part assembly.
Trust Plastic Service Centers for Thermoplastic Resin, Glass Fiber, and Carbon Fiber Products
Plastic Service Centers offers you selection and availability from our 4,000,000+ pounds of inventory.
We stock a complete line of bulk plastic resins, including thermoplastic resins, automotive approved polymers, carbon fiber, commodity polymers, including prime, generic, wide-specification, custom compounds, and other various engineered resins and plastics. You can also order plexiglass for sale or order plexiglass cut to size for your individualized needs. Our solid relationships with manufacturers and worldwide logistics partners give you reliable access to the plastic resin products you need, when and where you need it. We also have special pricing on some resins including surplus resins.
Located in Clinton Township, Michigan, Plastic Service Centers has distribution centers throughout the U.S. to help us serve our clients quickly and conveniently. We work closely with our customers to ensure high quality and competitive prices for every single order. Trust us to be your carbon fiber or new plastic resin distributors, and we’ll work hard to exceed your expectations. Just give us a call (586) 307-3900 if you have questions or would like to request a quote. Or, fill out the contact form on our website.