Houston, TX, Feb. 22, 2024 – Oceanit’s AeroPel team has been hard at work collaborating with the Texas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) to evaluate AeroPel Nanocomposite Protective Layer (NPL) for corrosion and erosion protection on their fleet of aircraft. Specifically, AeroPel APW100 Series, a water-based omniphobic variant, is being considered for these purposes.
The initial application of APW100 NPL was completed this week on a CAP Textron Aviation T206H aircraft. APW100 NPL will provide erosion protection along leading edges and corrosion protection for structural joints of the wings and stabilizers. APW100 NPL was applied to the bilge area to prevent fuselage skin corrosion. In addition to the erosion protection properties, AeroPel NPL allows for easy removal of insect impacts at the leading edges, using nothing more than a microfiber cloth and water. This eliminates the use of harmful chemicals typically required to remove bonded-on insects. The application process was done in conjunction with the annual inspection/maintenance visit scheduled at the HARCO Aviation facility located at Houston Ellington Airport & Spaceport.
Ellington Airport is a joint-use airfield by the US military, NASA, and general aviation tenants, located in proximity of Oceanit’s Houston offices at Hobby Airport, approximately 15 miles southeast from downtown Houston, Texas. Oceanit’s AeroPel team is also collaborating with the National United States Armed Forces Museum at Ellington Airport to evaluate AeroPel NPL on several H-46E Sea Knight helicopters for erosion protection of the rotor blades.
AeroPel NPL represents a step forward in protective materials for the aviation industry. APW100 Series is a water-based, zero VOC, fast-curing product that eliminates many of the toxic hazards and cumbersome procedures involved with traditional chemical-based corrosion inhibiting compounds. Visit our AeroPel website to learn more about APW100.
