Aerospace Applications of Armorlon® Fire-Retardant Tarps

Aerospace  Fire-Retardant Tarps

In the highly specialized field of aerospace engineering, the safety and integrity of equipment and materials are paramount. Ground operations, storage, and maintenance of sensitive aircraft components demand protective materials that ensure flame resistance, durability, and light/UV blocking. Armorlon® offers a range of fire-retardant tarps that meet these critical needs. Below is an in-depth look at four key Armorlon products and how they apply to the aerospace industry.

Armorlon A-20 FR HDPE: Flame Protection and UV Blocking for Ground Operations

What it is:
Armorlon A-20 FR is a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) tarp that passes the NFPA 701 standard for flame resistance, making it suitable for aerospace applications where fire protection is critical. Its primary role is to provide both flame retardancy and protection from light and UV rays during ground operations.

Applications in Aerospace:

• Flame Protection: Aircraft components are exposed to various risks during ground operations, including the potential for fire hazards. The A-20 FR tarp ensures that these components remain protected from accidental sparks and fires, reducing the risk of damage.
• UV Blocking: UV exposure can lead to the degradation of sensitive materials like rubber seals, gaskets, and certain plastics used in aircraft construction. The UV blocking capabilities of the A-20 tarp ensure that these materials maintain their integrity while stored on the ground, especially during long periods of maintenance or inactivity.
• Light Blocking: The tarp is also ideal for reducing exposure to light-sensitive materials, such as electronics and specialized coatings that might degrade with prolonged light exposure. For example, composite materials used in aerospace structures can be vulnerable to light-induced damage, and A-20 FR provides a protective shield.

In summary, the A-20 FR HDPE tarp is crucial in ground operations where aircraft are stored outside or in environments prone to fire hazards. The material's light-blocking and UV-resistant properties add another layer of protection, ensuring that sensitive components remain intact.

Armorlon AT-175 FR UV: Heavy-Duty Protection for Ground Storage and Maintenance

What it is:
The Armorlon AT-175 FR UV tarp is a fire-retardant, heavy-duty material that passes the NFPA 701 standard for flame resistance. Its UV protection makes it ideal for shielding aerospace components from sunlight and fire risks during ground storage and maintenance.

Applications in Aerospace:

• Ground Storage Protection: Aircraft components, especially those stored for extended periods, can be vulnerable to both environmental and fire-related damage. The AT-175 FR UV tarp offers robust protection, shielding these parts from potential hazards, including excessive heat, moisture, and accidental fires.
• Flame Retardancy: Ground operations in aerospace frequently involve welding, fueling, and other processes that present fire risks. The AT-175 FR UV tarp provides essential flame retardant protection to safeguard aircraft parts from sparks, flames, and heat, making it a vital asset for aerospace maintenance crews.
• UV Protection: Exposure to ultraviolet light can weaken many aerospace materials over time, including composites, rubber, and certain metals prone to corrosion. This tarp’s UV protection ensures that parts stored outdoors remain shielded from the sun’s harmful rays.

For aerospace engineers and maintenance crews, the AT-175 FR UV tarp provides a reliable, heavy-duty solution that addresses multiple protective needs, from flame retardancy to UV resistance, making it a highly versatile tool in the aerospace sector.

Armorlon AT-195 FR: Anti-Static Flame Protection for High-Sensitivity Aerospace Applications

What it is:
Armorlon AT-195 FR is a fire-retardant PVC-coated scrim material with anti-static properties, providing dual protection against flames and electrostatic discharge (ESD). This product is ideal for situations where spark mitigation and fire protection are critical.

Applications in Aerospace:

• Spark Mitigation: In aerospace operations, certain materials and electronic components are particularly sensitive to static electricity. The anti-static properties of the AT-195 FR tarp help mitigate the risk of sparks, which can be a significant hazard during the storage and handling of aircraft materials, particularly those involving fuel systems or electronics.
• Flame Retardancy: Given its fire-resistant nature, the AT-195 FR tarp is essential in areas where both static and fire risks are present. For instance, during the maintenance of electrical systems or fuel-handling operations, this tarp ensures that any potential fire risks are minimized.
• Durability in Storage: The coated scrim design makes this tarp highly durable, perfect for long-term storage of sensitive equipment. Aerospace engineers rely on such materials to provide long-lasting protection without sacrificing fire safety or anti-static capabilities.

In essence, the Armorlon AT-195 FR tarp offers unique advantages for aerospace applications involving both flammable materials and electronic components. It reduces the risks of both fire and static discharge, ensuring safe storage and handling in high-risk environments.

Armorlon AT-300 FR: Heavy-Duty Flame Resistance for Tubing and Covers

What it is:
The Armorlon AT-300 FR is an 18 oz PVC-laminated polyester scrim product, flame resistant to Federal Standard 191.5903. It is often used for tubing and heavy-duty covers, making it an excellent choice for protecting aerospace equipment during ground storage and transportation.

Applications in Aerospace:

• Tubing Protection: Aerospace systems often rely on tubing for various hydraulic, fuel, and pneumatic systems. The AT-300 FR tarp can be customized into tubing, providing a protective covering that resists flames while ensuring the longevity of sensitive materials during storage or transit.
• Heavy-Duty Covers: Large aerospace components, such as fuselage sections, wings, and engines, require heavy-duty protection during ground operations. The AT-300 FR tarp’s flame-resistant qualities, combined with its durable polyester scrim, make it a robust solution for protecting these critical parts from environmental exposure and fire hazards.
• Federal Standard Compliance: Its compliance with Federal Standard 191.5903 ensures that it meets stringent fire safety requirements. This makes the AT-300 FR tarp a reliable choice for aerospace engineers who need to ensure their materials and components remain compliant with industry safety standards.

In aerospace environments where heavy-duty protection is required, the Armorlon AT-300 FR tarp offers the flame resistance and durability necessary to safeguard equipment during ground operations, maintenance, and storage.

Why Armorlon® Products Are Essential for Aerospace Engineering

Fire Resistance:
In the aerospace industry, the risks associated with fire are ever-present, particularly during ground operations where aircraft are fueled, repaired, and stored. Fire-retardant materials like Armorlon tarps are essential in minimizing the risk of fire-related damage.

Durability and UV Protection:
Many aerospace components are susceptible to degradation when exposed to sunlight, especially during prolonged storage. Armorlon tarps, with their UV-blocking capabilities, ensure that these components remain protected from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

Anti-Static Properties:
For aerospace engineers working with sensitive electronic systems, static discharge can pose a significant hazard. The anti-static properties of products like the AT-195 FR tarp provide an additional layer of safety in environments where sparks could lead to fires or damage to critical electronic components.

Versatility:
From tubing protection to heavy-duty covers, Armorlon tarps offer versatile applications across the aerospace industry. Their ability to shield aircraft components from flames, static, and UV exposure makes them indispensable tools in both maintenance and storage.

Compliance with Safety Standards:
All Armorlon tarps mentioned meet or exceed the NFPA 701 flame-retardant standards, and certain products comply with additional federal regulations like the Federal Standard 191.5903. This compliance ensures that aerospace engineers can confidently use these products in environments where fire safety is a top priority.

Conclusion: The Armorlon Advantage in Aerospace

For aerospace engineers, the protection and longevity of aircraft components are non-negotiable. Armorlon’s range of fire-retardant, UV-resistant, and anti-static tarps provides essential protection in high-risk environments. Whether for ground operations, storage, or maintenance, these tarps offer the reliability and safety required in the aerospace industry.

By integrating these products into daily operations, aerospace professionals can ensure the continued safety, functionality, and compliance of their materials and equipment.

Please visit our Aerospace Product page for more products.