Performance plastics are used in numerous aerospace applications to improve safety, reduce costs, save fuel and improve passenger comfort. From landing gear components to interior panels, high-performance polymers deliver unmatched durability, weight savings, and design flexibility.
Applications
- Landing gear components
- Electrical and thermal insulators
- Transparency to electromagnetic signals
- Windows, canopies, dust covers
- Interior wall panels and luggage compartments
- Ventilation ducting and seals
- Trays and tray tables
- Pipes and tubing
- Fasteners
- Mirrors
- Wiring conduits
- Bushings and bearings
- Seals
- Collapsible air duct ribs
Advantages May Include
- Lightweight
- Reduced maintenance
- Design flexibility (colors, textures)
- Thermoformability
- Corrosion resistant
- Chemical and impact resistant
- Good insulator
- Easily fabricated
- Broad range of temperature resistance
- Flame, smoke and toxicity resistant
Materials
- Acetal (POM)
- Acrylic (PMMA)
- Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)
- Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP)
- Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA)
- Polyamide (PA)
- Polyamide-Imide (PAI)
- Polyarylsulphone (PAS)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
- Polyetherimide (PEI)
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polyimide (PI)
- Polyphenylene Oxide (modified PPO)
- Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)
- Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)/Acrylic
- Thermoset Composites (phenolics)
Sustainability Advantages of Performance Plastics
>50%
By transitioning to high-performance polymers (density ~1.3 g/cm³ vs. 2.7 g/cm³ for aluminum), operators can reduce part weight by more than 50%.
Source: thisisplastics.com
$1,000
saved in fuel over the life of the airplane for each pound of weight reduced.
Source: craftechind.com
15,000
gallons of fuel per year is saved per pound of weight reduced on a plane.
Source: polymershapes.com
By converting all metal parts — mechanical and interior — to plastic alternatives, overall cost savings could amount to as much as:
50%
Total Cost Savings
60%
Savings Within Parts Category
Source: thisisplastics.com
Environmental Impact — Lightweight Seats
900
Lightweight seats
→
730
Tons of CO₂ saved
=
3,000
Equivalent trees
In one application, 900 lightweight seats saved more than 730 tons of CO₂ — the equivalent of planting 3,000 trees. | Source: runwaygirlnetwork.com
iapd
the performance plastics association
Sustainability
Champions
Champions