Demand for commercial aircraft is booming worldwide and DELO’s new flame-retardant structural adhesive, DELO-DUOPOX AB8162, will help make production faster.
No other industry relies as heavily on lightweight design as aviation does. On the one hand, optimum strength is crucial, on the other hand, weight must be kept to a minimum. DELO has developed its new, two component epoxy resin especially for lightweight structural joints in aircraft interiors, focusing on fast build-up of strength.
DELO-DUOPOX AB8162 cures at room temperature, but has been optimized for temperature-accelerated curing. For example, at a temperature of 60°C, a curing time of only 15 minutes is sufficient to achieve functional strength (>= 10MPa). Consequently, components can be further processed after this short time, which significantly speeds up production processes.
The adhesive is multipurpose, including coating or bonding of insert fasteners. With its beige-yellowish colour, it has been visually adapted to honeycomb sandwich panels, which are frequently used in the production of aircraft.
DELO-DUOPOX AB8162 ensures consistently high strengths, even under the influence of both temperature and aging, and features excellent resistance to media such as Skydrol, for example. This is a hydraulic fluid that is commonly used in aviation.
Due to the importance of safety, the materials used in aircraft interiors must fulfill high fire protection requirements. These are met by the flame-retardant DELO-DUOPOX AB8162. This product complies with the requirements of FST tests according to CS/FAR Part 25 §25.853 (a)(1)(ii) and those of the Airbus standard ABD0031. FST stands for Flame, Smoke, Toxicity. In these tests, a rod-shaped sample of pure adhesive is held over a Bunsen burner flame for 12 seconds. After this time the adhesive must extinguish itself. It is also required to achieve low flue gas density and a low toxicity level.
DELO-DUOPOX AB8162 is a CMR-free product (non-carcinogenic / non-mutagenic / non-reprotoxic). The DELO-AUTOMIX dispensing system allows the adhesive to be processed just like a one-component product, with its thixotropic properties ensuring excellent flow behaviour. When the shear stress stops at the end of the dispensing process, viscosity will increase again, preventing the adhesive from flowing out.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
