Materials used Aircraft Maintenance Scrapper Blades

January 18, 2024  |  , , ,

 

Aircraft Maintenance Professionals are always looking for better and more efficient ways to complete their tasks.  Sometimes, in an effort to complete their tasks faster, they use items that were not designed for use in removal and damage to the underlying surfaces.

While there are currently many scraper blades on the market that are designed for adhesive removal, , not all materials are created equal.  Most of the blades currently on the market are made of three materials:  ABS, Phenolic, and Torlon.

 

ABS

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a very tough, very durable thermoplastic used in a wide variety of applications. ABS is a common choice among other plastic production materials because of its durability, structural stability, and good corrosion, impact, chemical, and wear resistance.

ABS plastic is made when acrylonitrile and polystyrene monomers are polymerized with butadiene rubber to create acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This blending is typically accomplished using an emulsification process, wherein materials that would otherwise not mix are formulated into a cohesive single product (think milk, where fats, oil, and water do not separate out of solution but exist as a homogenous mixture)

Phenolic

Phenolic is a laminated plastic used in a variety of custom plastic components due to its high strength, resistance to solvents, dielectric strength, and many other features.

Phenolics are manufactured by impregnating layers of material with a phenolic resin, and then applying heat and pressure, which transforms these layers into a solid mass. The result is a thermoset that is dense, dimensionally stable, structurally strong, has low creep, and is an excellent insulator.

Torlon

 

 

Torlon® is a high-strength, high-performance, melt-processable plastic material. It’s ability to perform under severe stress combined with its resistance to elevated temperatures makes it ideal for various applications across many industries.  Torlon (PAI) is recognized as being the highest-performing plastic that is melt-processable.

Polyamide-imides (PAIs) are thermoplastic amorphous polymers prepared by the condensation of an aromatic diamine, such as methylene diamine, and an anhydride, such as trimellitic acid chloride. PAIs have good mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance, high strength, melt processability, and high heat capacity.

So, ABS is blended thermoplastic, Phenolic is impregnated plastic, and Torlon is a heat-treated, condensed thermoset.  Condensed thermoset materials are stronger, more resilient, and exhibit consistent performance without the risk of damaging the surfaces.

EnduroSharp® Torlon® aircraft maintenance tools were specifically designed by Performance Plastics, the Airforce Research Laboratory (ARL), and the University of Dayton Research Institute at Wright Patterson Air Force Base to safely and efficiently remove adhesives, sealants, and coatings while maintaining an effective edge and not damaging the underlying substrates.

For more information on Torlon® and/or EnduroSharp Torlon® Aircraft Maintenance Tools, please contact Aileen Crass, Product Marketing Manager at [email protected], or visit our website at www.performanceplastics.com/endurosharp.

 

/by

Performance Plastics, A Pexco Company, adds to its line of EnduroSharp® Torlon Adhesive Removal Tools

November 30, 2023  |  , ,

Performance Plastics is pleased to announce two additions to its EnduroSharp® line of aircraft maintenance tools: the EnduroSharp® Torlon® Sealant Remover (TSR) and three new EnduroSharp® Adhesive Reamers (TAR).

The EnduroSharp® Torlon Sealant Removers (TSR) are non-metallic, spiral single-fluted cutters designed to remove non-metallic debris such as cured sealants and adhesives from larger surface areas such as fuel tanks.

Designed for use with a power drill, the cutters have a hex drive mounting feature and are reusable because they are made of a re-sharpenable material called Torlon®. The cutters were designed to remove sealants, filers, and coatings cleanly with no abrasion to the underlying paints, primers, or metal substrates.

The EnduroSharp® Torlon® Adhesive Reamers (TAR) are non-metallic, multi-fluted, straight-walled reamers. They can be used to remove debris such as cured sealants and adhesives from fastening and bushing holes in metallic or composite structures without damaging the structures. Originally offered in nine sizes, we have added three new sizes to the lineup: the TAR 171 (0.171” Diameter, Straight Fluted, ¼ Inch Hex Drive), TAR 234 (0.234” Diameter, Straight Fluted, ¼ inch Hex Drive), and TAR 296 (0.296” Diameter, Straight Fluted, ¼ inch Hex Drive).

Performance Plastics developed all EnduroSharp® Aircraft Maintenance Tools in conjunction with the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to provide reliable and dependable material removal tools for military and commercial aircraft maintainers.

Approved for use by the USAF, USMC, USN, and many foreign military organizations, EnduroSharp® tools are designed to prevent damage to metallic and non-metallic components such as composites, metals, and fiberglass. The EnduroSharp® tools are stiffer and maintain a superior cutting edge compared to other alternative thermoplastics tools.

For more information on the new EnduroSharp® offerings, please contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at [email protected], or visit our website at www.performanceplastics.com/endurosharp.

/by

EnduroSharp® Surface Preparation Tools to achieve the best Adhesive Bond

August 3, 2023  |  ,

Torlon Sealant Removal Cutter

Using adhesives for connection technology has many benefits. It is cost-efficient, and fast, and allows homogeneous stress distribution between the bonded surfaces.

Adhesively bonded surfaces consist generally of two joined components and a layer of adhesive between them. The most important part of the bond is the adhesive itself, followed by the preparation process that precedes the application of the adhesive. The adhesive bonding process requires its own special process, which involves three main aspects: qualified methods/processes, trained operators, and dedicated tools.

The benefits of adhesive bonding include:

  • Expresses weight savings with the elimination of rivets or other stress concentrations
  • More evenly distributed stresses
  • Excellent fatigue resistance
  • Increased compliance with critical tolerances
  • Enables joining of dissimilar base materials.

Any professional who works with adhesives knows surface preparation is the most vital element of achieving high bond strength and optimizing durability and lifespan.  Different substrate materials require different types of preparation, but all must remove intermediate surfaces cleanly and thoroughly.

Patented EnduroSharp® Torlon® maintenance tools, exclusively from Performance Plastics, are the correct, dedicated tools for surface preparation.  They are non-metallic scraper tools that quickly and effectively remove silicone, sealants, adhesives, and coatings while keeping an effective edge and not damaging underlying materials.

 

Developed from Torlon® polyamide-imide, EnduroSharp tools hold a superior edge, are resharpenable, remove unwanted materials and protect expensive projects.

For more detailed information about the EnduroSharp® line of tools and how they can save you time and money in maintenance, please reach out to Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at [email protected] or visit our website at www.performanceplastics.com/endurosharp.

 

/by

Introducing the new EnduroSharp® TSR Cutter

July 12, 2023  |  ,

Introducing the EnduroSharp® TSR Cutter, specifically designed for larger aircraft maintenance applications. Made from resharpenable Torlon®, the SR Cutter is the newest addition to the EnduroSharp® line of tools.

EnduroSharp® TSR Cutters are specially engineered to handle challenging tasks such as the removal of sealants and adhesives from aircraft wing fuel tanks and around fasteners like rivets, hi-loks, and bolts. Unlike competitors’ tools made from simple plastic, the EnduroSharp® TSR Cutter is crafted from resharpenable Torlon® PAI, allowing for multiple uses and extended durability.

The EnduroSharp® TSR Cutter is a Torlon® rotary cutting tool that effectively eliminates sealants, adhesives, and coatings without causing abrasion to underlying substrates, paints, primers, or metal surfaces. It achieves a thorough cleaning without the need for chemical solvents, thereby reducing chemical waste and minimizing exposure risks.

For more detailed information about the EnduroSharp® Torlon® TSR Cutter and how EnduroSharp® tools can save you time and money in aircraft maintenance, please reach out to Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at [email protected] or visit our website at www.performanceplastics.com/endurosharp.

Equip yourself with the EnduroSharp® TSR Cutter and experience a cutting-edge solution for efficient and effective aircraft maintenance.

 

/by

Endurosharp® Torlon® Tools vs Traditional Metal Scrapers

June 15, 2023  |  , ,

Correctly and efficiently performing aircraft maintenance requires the correct tools.  Patented EnduroSharp® Torlon® aircraft maintenance tools, exclusively from Performance Plastics, are the correct tools.  They are non-metallic scraper tools that quickly and effectively remove silicone, sealants, adhesives, and coatings while keeping an effective edge and not damaging underlying materials.

At the time of development, many nonmetallic scrapers were available and approved for various material removal applications. But, the effectiveness of the existing tools varied, and the tools were generally inefficient & short-lived. Some even pose a great risk to the underlying structures.

Under contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials Integrity Branch (AFRL/RXSA), the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) developed the EnduroSharp® line of Torlon® material removal tools.

After sampling available tools on the market for material and design, the material Torlon® by Solvay was chosen, along with a spiral-fluted design for the GFR Bit. Torlon® is a polyamide-imide (PAI) resin that is a high-end niche material that proved to be ideal for the application.  Initially, three types of tools were developed:

  • Gap Filler Removal Bits (GFR Bit)
  • Torlon Scraper Blade (TSB)
  • Torlon Gap Blade (TGB)

All three tools were extensively tested and summarized. It was concluded that Torlon® was indeed a great material for the application.  The material offered significantly less damage potential than other often-used tools.  It offered faster material removal rates and required less operator effort.  Additionally, the material proved to be resharpenable.

At the request of our users, EnduroSharp® is soon to release our new TSR Cutter, The Torlon Sealant Remover Cutter (TSR) is a rotary cutter designed to safely remove thick layers of sealants and adhesives from larger areas, such as fuel cells, without damaging the underlying coatings and surfaces.

The EnduroSharp® line is offered by over 100 organizations and is under evaluation for 11 weapons systems at 10 DoD locations.

For more information on the EnduroSharp® line of products, please contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at [email protected], or visit our website at www.performanceplastics.com.

 

/by

Gain an edge with EnduroSharp® Scraper Blades

May 9, 2023  |  , ,

When using a tool for maintenance, it is important to use the right tool to perform the task the right way.  Using the incorrect tool wastes time, reduces efficiency, and puts the maintainer at risk of injury. Take for example a tool as basic as a scraper blade.  Not all scraper blades are made of the same material and provide the same functionality.  Some of the most common types of scraper blades on the market include Phenolic, Celcon®, Glass Filled Nylon, and Torlon®.

 

Phenolic Scraper Blades

Phenolic scraper blades come in assorted shapes, colors, and sizes.  Phenolic scrapers are commonly used for removing sealants, adhesives, stickers, labels, grime, and more.  Phenolic materials are the result of polymerization between layers of paper, canvas, linen, or glass cloth impregnated with a synthetic thermosetting resin.  It offers high resistance to flexing but does not offer the ability to be resharpened.  It will curl, peel and melt when attempting to resharpen.  Additionally, Phenolic may cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose throat, and nervous system, so it is not ideal for use in incremental or heated material removal.

 

Celcon® Plastic Scraper Blades

Celcon® plastic scraper blades are currently approved by several MROs and are made of semi-crystalline thermoplastics that offer high tensile strength, stiffness, and toughness and may retain a sharp edge.  They are resistant to hot water and some solvents and are useful for sealant application, removal, and paint removal.  They are not, however, useful with newer aviation adhesives, or high-heat applications as they melt easily.  Celcon® dust may cause irritation in the upper respiratory tract when used at normal processing temperatures.

 

 

Glass-Filled NylonScraperBlades

Glass-filled nylon scraper blades are thermal polymers that hold a very sharp and hard edge.  It is far less likely to mar surfaces, but it is not categorized as non-marring.  Can sometimes often be reshaped, but edges tend to wear when prying.  Can not be re-sharpened. Resists chemicals and solvents with minimal degradation.  While adding glass to the nylon makes it substantially stronger, with superior tensile strength it is also substantially more brittle, abrasive, and heavier.

 

Torlon Scarper Blades

Torlon® scraper blades hold a superior edge, remove unwanted materials, and protect the underlying substrates.  Torlon® is a non-marring, high-strength, high-temperature polymer and is cured to produce a thermoset polymer.  As a thermoset, it is resharpenable, lightweight, chemically resistant, and safe for people under normal conditions.

EnduroSharp® offers a full line of Torlon® Aircraft Maintenance Tools that make the removal of sealants and adhesives more efficient.

For more information on the new EnduroSharp® Gap Blade & Scraper Blade kit, or any of our EnduroSharp® product lines, please contact Aileen Crass at [email protected] or visit our website at www.performanceplastics.com/endurosharp.

 

 

 

/by

Product Spotlight – EnduroSharp® Gap Blade & Scraper Blade Kit with Pneumatic Tool

April 4, 2023  |  , ,

EnduroSharp® has changed the way aerospace maintenance professionals remove sealants and adhesives from substrates and fasteners.

After receiving feedback from aircraft professionals,  EnduroSharp® has combined two of our most popular kits into one consolidated kit.  This kit offers the full selection of the EnduroSharp® gap blades, and EnduroSharp® scraper blades, packaged in one convenient carrying case.  We even included the sharper in the kit, so our maintainers would have all the tools they need in one handy case!

Traditionally, aerospace maintainers removed adhesives and sealants using tools that weren’t designed for the job.  Patented EnduroSharp® Torlon® aircraft maintenance tools were specifically designed for this task.  EnduroSharp® Tools are non-metallic scraper tools designed specifically to remove silicone, sealants, adhesives, and coatings.

Performance Plastics is a custom precision injection molder of high-performance, tight-tolerance thermoplastic components. We specialize in geometrically complex precision parts that consist of chemically inert materials. Our expertise led to the development of our patented EnduroSharp® line of Aircraft Maintenance Tools.

For more information on the new EnduroSharp® Gap Blade & Scraper Blade kit, or any of our EnduroSharp® product lines, please contact Aileen Crass at [email protected] or visit our website at www.performanceplastics.com.

 

 

/by

Product Spotlight – EnduroSharp® Nutplate Abrasion Tool “NAT” Kit

January 19, 2023  |  , ,

 

Now Offered With and Without the Case

With Case ESNAT 1C
Without Case ESNAT 1NC

 

 

EnduroSharp® has changed the way aerospace maintenance professionals remove sealants and adhesives from substrates and fasteners.

Adhesively bonded nutplates are increasingly being utilized in the manufacture of aerospace structures, with extensive use in securing removable maintenance access panels.

Traditionally, aerospace maintenance professionals prepared nutplates using manual methods such as abrading files or grinders.  This proved very inefficient because the abrading was often uneven, leading to adhesively bonded nutplate failure.  While rotary abrasion tools (RATs) were better, they were often bulky and expensive.

That’s why EnduroSharp® developed the Nutplate Abrasion Tool (NAT).   Precisely designed to work with adhesively bonded nutplates, the product consists of an aluminum upper and lower handle and 4 nutplate base inserts.  The product is packaged in a convenient, rugged case which is handy for transporting.

Performance Plastics is a custom precision injection molder of high-performance, tight-tolerance thermoplastic components. We specialize in geometrically complex precision parts that consist of chemically inert materials. Our expertise led to the development of our patented EnduroSharp® line of Aircraft Maintenance Tools.

For more information on the EnduroSharp® Nutplate Abrasion Tool or any of our EnduroSharp® product lines, please contact Aileen Crass at [email protected] or visit our website at www.performanceplastics.com.

/by

EnduroSharp® Awarded GSA Contract with the Federal Government

October 4, 2022  |  , , ,

Performance Plastics is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contract with the federal government for our EnduroSharp®   Torlon® non-marring aircraft maintenance tools. The GSA is the centralized authority for the acquisition and management of federal government resources. GSA Schedule Contracts assist federal employees in purchasing products and services.

To be approved for a GSA contract, companies must go through a rigorous process of review that takes months, if not years. The requirements include that the company meet some basic standards of strength and reliability. It must have been in business for at least two years, must be able to demonstrate financial stability, must have successful past performance under its belt, and must be compliant with the Trade Agreements Act.

Additionally, a Dun & Bradstreet Open Ratings Past Performance Evaluation report must be done. This report is an in-depth review of a company’s past performance, which uses Dun & Bradstreet’s own data and analytic resources together with direct customer survey responses to compile a full picture.

Performance Plastics is proud to say that our proposal was approved and can now make our EnduroSharp®  tools available to the federal government’s various agencies and employees.

“We are thrilled to have received this contract with GSA and view it as an opportunity to expand our business into new, but not unfamiliar, areas,” said Rich Reed, VP of Sales & Marketing.  “PPL has supported federal projects for many years.  Through this GSA contract, we now can extend that support even further within the Government sector.”

Our offerings will now be available on the GSAAdvantage! federal online catalog, making them accessible to hundreds of federal customers, including federal and executive agencies, the Department of Defense, the government of the District of Columbia, government contractors authorized to spend federal dollars, and other institutions and organizations that support the federal government.

 

 

/by

Get to Know Performance Plastics

September 1, 2022  |  , ,

You know Performance Plastics for our EnduroSharp® Non-marring Aircraft Maintenance Tool, but did you know that Performance Plastic is also an expert in tight tolerance custom injection molding?

For four decades, Performance Plastics has been delivering the highest quality custom plastic injection molding solutions in the industry for our customers. We take a highly specialized and consultative approach, working closely with our customers to develop the solutions needed to solve the most complicated issues.

We have the experience to take a project from concept to production in-house. Every step of the process, from design and engineering, to tooling, protype, and full production, is done under the supervision of our experienced team. We produce complex, tight tolerance custom molded products of all types for the aerospace, medical and diversified industrial sectors.

We are technical specialists in collaborating and executing advanced, custom solutions for our customers. Injection-molded product fabrication is a complex process, especially when dealing with parts that are the size of a pin.  Our process is comprehensive and efficient to ensure that custom solutions can be delivered quickly and cost-effectively. High performance materials include PFA, FEP, PEEK, ULTEM, and Torlon.

With the ability to injection mold shot sizes as small as .015 grams with a wall thickness as thin as .008 of inch, Performance Plastics is anything but typical.  We are one of the leaders in tight tolerance, highly detailed medical parts.

For more information on how Performance Plastics can solve your tight tolerance molding challenges, please contact Rich Reed, VP Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or [email protected].

 

 

/by