Polymer replaces magnesium alloy in aircraft seats
A
Victrex product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jun 6, 2002
Victrex Peek polymer has replaced a magnesium alloy in a range of functional seat components for both commercial and military aircraft.
Victrex Peek polymer has replaced a magnesium alloy in a range of functional seat components for both commercial and military aircraft.
Designed and manufactured by Belgium-based Feronyl, these components include the lumbar support adjuster, the headrest and headrest holder and the seatbelt guides.
Mr Vanneste, production manager of Feronyl, explains: "Seats in aircraft such as the Airbus, Eurocopter and Mirage have become complex assemblies.
In addition to offering maximum comfort for passengers and crew, they must also provide long-term functional safety and passenger protection.
We selected Peek polymer because it meets the key requirements for outstanding mechanical strength at low specific weight, and low flammability and low toxicity in fire situations".
An aircraft seat consists of a soft-cushioned shell and headrest, an adjustable lumbar support and seat-belt guides.
These components have been made traditionally from a magnesium alloy.
However, crash tests have revealed that this material does not consistently ensure optimum elasticity.
The lumbar support adjuster, for example, can show a permanent deflection after an impact without springing back as required.
Feronyl decided to mould both the lumbar support adjuster and the headrest in carbon fibre filled Victrex Peek polymer, as this provides long-term strength, creep and fatigue resistance.
The headrest holder and seatbelt guides are moulded in a glass filled Peek polymer grade, as these components do not require the same high level of mechanical strength and stiffness.
In addition to providing outstanding mechanical performance in compliance with the industry's crash performance standards, these components must also satisfy fire, smoke and toxicity requirements.
The flammability of Victrex Peek polymer is rated according to UL94V0.
Furthermore, the inherent purity of the polymer results in extremely low smoke and toxic gas emission in fire situations.
This favourable performance significantly raises the chances of survival for passengers and crew in the event of a fire.
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