Have you ever stopped to wonder what goes into aircraft manufacturing? How do they seal the windows on a Boeing-737? What about the doors of SpaceX’s Falcon 9? While numerous materials and tools are used to prepare these aircraft for a safe flight, one of the most prominent is silicone.
Silicone is a synthetic, durable, and flexible polymer material that is used worldwide as a sealant. When it comes to aerospace, silicone is an excellent material of choice due to its strength and temperature resistance. Additionally, silicone requires reliable and durable tools like ours for application and removal as well.
Where Can You Find Silicone?
Silicone is used all over an aircraft, from the windows to the doors. However, there are several spots that it appears in that may surprise you. For example, silicone is also used in airplane cabins for lighting, overhead bins, and more. Some other places you might find silicone in an aircraft include the following:
- Instrument Seals & Electrical Equipment in Aircraft Cabins
- Surrounding Light Fixtures & Storage Compartments
- Sealing Inner and Outer Doors & Windows
- In Engine Parts, Gaskets, Molded Seals, & Other Parts
- Hydraulic Seals on Aircraft Tails, Wings, & More
The Benefits of Using Silicone
While silicone is undoubtedly a great sealant in many cases, there are many other benefits for using the material all over an aircraft. Whether an engineer needs to keep moisture out, strengthen a flexible bond, or another task, silicone is versatile and can be used in many ways. For example, silicone has resistance to bases, acids, strong chemicals, oils, water, and other contaminants like fungus. It is flame repellent, great for electrical insulation, and is easy to mold into customizable shapes! It is clear to see why this is one of the most popular materials when designing an aircraft for the aerospace industry, where the craft may encounter a number of harsh conditions at any point during its journey.
How to Handle Silicone
To use silicone, however, mechanics and engineers require specialized tools created to apply, scraping away, and handling this material in many forms. Each type of application or removal may also require a specific tool. For example, our roller nozzles are great for applying thicker lines of sealant, while our scrapers can be used for precise tooling and remove cured sealant from surfaces. Depending on the job at hand, engineers and mechanics can select from a range of different shaped and sized spatulas, spreaders, and more.
Take Flight With Crew Tool
At Crew Tool, we push the envelope. We believe in hard work and craftsmanship, which is why we work so hard to supply the aircraft and aviation industries with the best products. We offer stellar customer service with friendly and knowledgeable staff to help others spread their wings. If you’re looking for quality aviation tooling, you’ve landed on the right runway 一 Crew Tool has what you need. Reach out to us today to find out how we can help you get the products you need. Give us a call at (407) 377-5824 or send us an email at sales@crew-tool.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
