ELKTON, MD (April 2007)-- W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) introduces a new version of GORE™ SKYFLEX® Aircraft Fuel Sealant designed for high temperature applications, up to 356 °F (180 °C), that resists UV and aging. GORE™ SKYFLEX® Aircraft Sealant is a reusable, non-curing, non-hazardous, form-in-place sealant that provides excellent protection against corrosion, water ingress, fuels, and other environmental influences including oils. The fuel sealant provides excellent fuel sealability and is resistant to leakage. It requires less compression to seal than traditional sealants and offers more controllable panel flushness.
“The advantage of using GORE™ SKYFLEX® Aircraft Sealant is the time savings it offers,” explains Tom Dykes, Global Product Manager of GORE™ SKYFLEX® Aircraft Sealant. “With traditional gaskets, the gasket must be replaced each time. GORE™ SKYFLEX® Aircraft Sealant is reusable and does not need to be replaced. In addition to reducing downtime, your costs are also reduced. Every time you open a panel with GORE™ SKYFLEX® Aircraft Sealant on it and do not replace the gasket, your costs go down.”
GORE™ SKYFLEX® Aircraft Sealant is a PTFE-based sealant. Unlike rubber gaskets, PTFE does not age or become hard and brittle. Degrading rubber gaskets harden, crack and can fall into the fuel tank creating a flight hazard and causing a longer maintenance cycle. GORE™ SKYFLEX® Fuel Sealant does not cause these problems.
GORE™ SKYFLEX® Fuel Sealant has been approved for use with 1F-16C-2-00GV-00-1 and LMAME002. The sealant has also been tested and meets the following specifications: ASTM-D-792 density requirements, AMS3255 low temperature flexibility, ASTM-F-152 method C tensile strength, ABR5-0127 shrinkage, PM0110-1A load to seal, and PM0110/B reusability.
GORE™ SKYFLEX® Fuel Sealant is available in a variety of standard size sheets and tapes. Nominal thickness of both sheets and tapes are 0.4mm, 0.6mm, 0.8mm, 1.0mm, and 1.2mm. Standard sheet sizes range from 6 in. by 12 in. up to 18 in. by 36 in. Die cut gaskets are available upon request. Tape are available in widths of 0.5 in., 0.75 in., 1.0 in., 2.0 in., 3.0 in., 4.0 in., and 5.0 in.
Gore offers a family of aircraft sealants which provide excellent protection against corrosion, water ingress, and other environmental influences, including fuel and oil. Applications for non-fuel sealants include exterior fuselage panels, access doors, windshields, antennae, and floorboards on military and commercial fixed-winged and rotary-winged aircrafts.
ABOUT W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES
Founded in 1958, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. has parlayed its unique technical capabilities into hundreds of diverse products and is world-renowned for its expertise in configuring the remarkably versatile polymer PTFE. This has resulted in numerous products for electronic signal transmission; fabric laminates; medical implants; as well as membrane, filtration, sealant, and fiber technologies for diverse industries. With $1B+ global sales and over 7,000 associates in 45 locations around the world, Gore is one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America.”
®SKYFLEX is a registered trademark of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.