Product Spotlight – EnduroSharp® Torlon® Adhesive Reamers

July 8, 2021  |  , ,

EnduroSharp® has changed the way aerospace maintenance professionals remove sealants and adhesives from substrates and fasteners. EnduroSharp® tools are made from Torlon®, a high strength polymer, creating a non-metallic tool that will not damage composite structures during use. The EnduroSharp® lineup consists of a variety of scraper blades, gap blades, reamers, cutters, bits, and discs for removal of adhesives on aircrafts. The product line also includes a variety of kits containing a selection of parts and sizes.

Reamer’s are traditionally a rotary cutting tool of cylindric or conical shape used for enlarging and finishing to accurate dimensions holes that have been drilled, bored or cored.

One of our most popular products, the EnduroSharp® Torlon® Adhesive Reamers (TAR) are non-metallic, multi-fluted, straight-walled reamers. They are used to remove non-metallic debris such as cured sealants and adhesives from fastener and bushing holes in metallic or composite structures without damaging the structures.

EnduroSharp® Torlon® Adhesive Reamer (TAR) tools are shipped 10 parts per box.

The EnduroSharp® Torlon® Adhesive Reamers are just one of the many different items offered in the EnduroSharp® Product line. Contact Rich Reed our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or RReed@performanceplastics.com,  for more information on our EnduroSharp® kits and products.

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Product Spotlight – EnduroSharp® Torlon® Gap Filler Removal Bits (GFR)

June 23, 2021  |  , ,

EnduroSharp® has changed the way aerospace maintenance professionals remove sealants and adhesives from substrates and fasteners. EnduroSharp® tools are made from Torlon®, a high strength polymer, creating a non-metallic tool that will not damage composite structures during use. The EnduroSharp® lineup consists of a variety of scraper blades, gap blades, reamers, cutters, bits, and discs for removal of adhesives on aircrafts. The product line also includes a variety of kits containing many of the parts and sizes.

EnduroSharp® Torlon® Gap Filler Removal Bits (GFR) are designed for use with an ergonomically designed pneumatic tool.  The tools provide maintenance professionals with an effective method of safely removing flexible epoxy gap materials from gaps and epoxy fillers from fasteners without damaging composite substructures and fasteners.

EnduroSharp® Torlon® Gap Filler Removal (GFR) Bits are available in a spiral single fluted, 1.70″ X 0.162″ configuration and shipped 10 parts per box.

The EnduroSharp® Torlon® Gap Filler Removal Bit is just one of the many different items offered in the EnduroSharp® Product line. Contact Rich Reed our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or RReed@performanceplastics.com,  for more information on our EnduroSharp® kits and products.

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Product Spotlight – EnduroSharp® Torlon® Gap Blade & Holder Kit

May 5, 2021  |  , ,

EnduroSharp® has changed the way aerospace maintenance professionals remove sealants and adhesives from substrates and fasteners. EnduroSharp® tools are made from Torlon®, a high strength polymer, creating a non-metallic gap blade tool that will not damage composite structures during use. The EnduroSharp® lineup consists of a variety of scraper blades, gap blades, reamers, cutters, bits, and discs for removal of adhesives on aircrafts. The product line includes a variety of kits containing all the parts and sizes.

Gap blades are designed for use in smaller spaces where scraper blades are too large.  With a multi head edge, they are a quick, safe and effective method of removing gap materials, sealants and adhesives from composite structures.

The EnduroSharp® Gap Blade & Holder Kit is one of the most popular kits offered.

This Kit contains:

15 EnduroSharp® Torlon® Gap Blades – 1 each of EnduroSharp® part numbers:

TGB-75-75, TGB-75-16, TGB-75-25, TGB-10-75, TGB-10-16, TGB-10-25, TGB-12-75, TGB-12-16, TGB-12-25, TGB-17-75, TGB-17-16, TGB-17-25, TGB-23-75, TGB-23-16, and TGB-23-25), 1 each, “Pocket” Scraper Blade Holder (Part Number: ESSBH002), and 1 each, Standard Scraper Blade Holder (Part Number: ESHH003).  The blades slide and lock into the detent pin of the standard gap holder handle, to easily alternate between the sizes as needed.

The EnduroSharp® Gap & Holder kit is just one of the many kits offered in the EnduroSharp® Product line. Contact Rich Reed for our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or RReed@performanceplastics.com, more information on our EnduroSharp® kits and products

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Overview of EnduroSharp™ Nonmetallic (Torlon®) Aircraft Maintenance Tools Presentation

April 13, 2021  |  , , ,
  • New Torlon(R) Nonmetallic Tools
  • Under contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials
    Integrity Branch (AFRL/RXSA), the University of Dayton Research
    Institute (UDRI) developed improved material removal tools & accessories
  • Transitioning developed tools to multiple weapons systems for material
    removal applications on composite components
  • Injection molded from Torlon® 5030 – Solvay’s polyamide-imide (PAI) resin
    30% glass reinforced plastic
  • Commercially available from Performance Plastics (Cincinnati, OH)
    • EnduroSharp™ trade name

Overview-of-EnduroSharp™-Nonmetallic-Torlon®-Aircraft-Maintenance-Tools-Presentation

 

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EnduroSharp(R) Nonmetallic (Torlon)(R) Aircraft Maintenance Tools Abstract

April 13, 2021  |  , , ,

The lack of reliable and effective nonmetallic material removal tools available to maintainers
drives the continued use of unapproved tools and/or methods when removing materials from
aerospace vehicles. The use of metallic tools has resulted in damage to vehicles, both short term
and long term, causing the need for expensive repairs and reduction in vehicle availability.
The University of Dayton Research Institute under contract to the Air Force Research Laboratory
has developed and commercialized a series of nonmetallic material removal tools under the
“EnduroSharp” trademark manufactured from glass-filled Torlon thermoplastic produced by
Solvay Engineered Plastics. The use of this material coupled with the tools’ designs is
responsible for their superior stiffness and durability (resistance to chemicals and heat) and
enhance the tools’ ability to maintain sharp cutting edges, allowing efficient removal of coatings,
boots, tapes, sealants, gap fillers and caulking materials, pressure , sensitive adhesive (PSA), and
tape residue without damaging underlying composite surfaces.

EnduroSharp™-Nonmetallic-Torlon®-Aircraft-Maintenance-Tools-Abstract

 

 

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Removal and Replacement of Failed Bonded Nutplates Presentation

April 13, 2021  |  , , ,

Nutplates fail for a variety of reasons

  • Poor surface prep
  • Wrong grip length fastener (too long) when engaged pushing nutplate off structure
  • Fastener locked up in nut element (i.e. not turning) due to excessive heat from fastener during installation
  • Improper fastener torque sequencing for panel installation

Following aircraft specific T.O. – takes from 24 to 72 hours to effect a repair

Removal-and-Replacement-of-Failed-Bonded-Nutplates-Presentation

 

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Removal and Replacement of Failed Bonded Nutplates Utilizing Nonmetallic Torlon® Adhesive Cutters Whitepaper

April 13, 2021  |  , , ,

The lack of reliable and effective nonmetallic material removal tools available to maintainers
drives the continued use of unapproved tools and/or methods when removing materials from
aerospace vehicles. The use of metallic tools has resulted in damage to vehicles, both short term
and long term, causing the need for expensive repairs and reduction in vehicle availability.
The University of Dayton Research Institute under contract to the Air Force Research Laboratory
has developed and commercialized a series of nonmetallic material removal tools under the
“EnduroSharp” trademark manufactured from glass-filled Torlon thermoplastic produced by
Solvay Engineered Plastics. The use of this material coupled with the tools’ designs is
responsible for their superior stiffness and durability (resistance to chemicals and heat) and
enhance the tools’ ability to maintain sharp cutting edges, allowing efficient removal of coatings,
boots, tapes, sealants, gap fillers and caulking materials, pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), and

tape residue without damaging underlying composite surfaces.

 

EnduroSharp™-Nonmetallic-Torlon®-Aircraft-Maintenance-Tools-Abstract

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Introducing the EnduroSharp® ABNIR “Fly Away” Compact Surface Prep Kit

January 20, 2021  |  ,

 

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

EnduroSharp® tools are made from Torlon®, a high strength polymer, creating non-metallic tools that will not damage composite structures during use.

The new, ABNIR “Fly Away” Compact Surface Prep Kit features a selection of commonly used tools with an improved design. Featuring a smaller, compact case, it is easier to store and is an efficient tool kit for aircraft maintenance. The tools are ideal to remove adhesives, sealants and coatings from aircraft structures.

The patented EnduroSharp® lineup consists of a variety of scraper blades, gap blades, reamers, cutter, bits, and discs for removal of substances on aircraft, windmill blades, boat/marine and automotive.
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 Enhanced EnduroSharp® Pocket Handle, or any of our EnduroSharp® product line, please contact Rich Reed at rreed@performanceplastics.com or our website at www.performanceplastics.com.

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EnduroSharp® Torlon® Maintenance Tools For Aircraft and Windmill Blades

January 6, 2021  |  ,

EnduroSharp® has changed the way maintenance professionals remove sealants and adhesives from composite substrates and fasteners. EnduroSharp® tools are made from Torlon®, a high strength, high performance plastic polymer which provides all the benefits of a sharp tool without the risk associated with caustic devices.

EnduroSharp® Torlon® maintenance tools are non metallic scraper tools designed to hold a superior edge but not damage composite structures like aluminum, fiberglass and carbon fibers. Constructed from a custom polyamidimide blend (PAI), they are durable, nonmetallic blades designed to remove elastomeric coatings, protective boots, tapes, sealants and adhesive residue and gap filler materials.

Composite materials are made of two or more materials with different physical or chemical properties that when combined, do not fully blend but together become stronger and more durable.  Materials used in composites include resins of glass fiber, reinforced polyester, reinforced epoxy, carbon fibers, graphite and blends of metals. Combining the materials produce components that are strong, lightweight, corrosion resistant and dimensionally stable.  They feature high rigidity and resistance to to torsion and fatigue with good flexibility, corrosion resistant and reduced weight.

EnduroSharp® is an improvement over existing nonmetallic scrapers due to the Torlon® stiffness and edge design.  Torlon® holds the cutting longer, is easier to sharpen and is machinable to configure. Torlon® is a high strength, high temperature polymer that is injection molded and oven “cured” to produce the highest tensile strength.  It posses features that are ideal in that they hold an effective,  resharpenable edge but not pose a threat to composite structures   It is an easy to use, will less effort for tough materials and deeper gaps.  The tool is ideal for tighter edges, and is designed to remove adhesives, sealants and coatings from low weight, design flexible structures.

The EnduroSharp® lineup consists of a variety of scraper blades, gap blades, reamers, cutter, bits, and discs for removal of substances on composite aircraft and composite windmill blades.

Performance Plastics is a custom injection molder of high performance, tight tolerance thermoplastic components.  We specialize in geometrically complex precision parts that consist of chemically inert materials.

For more information on the EnduroSharp® product line, please contact Rich Reed at rreed@performanceplastics.com or our website at www.performanceplastics.com

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Introducing our Improved EnduroSharp® Nutplate Abrasion Tool

November 10, 2020  |  , ,

 

 

Introducing the EnduroSharp® Nutplate Abrasion Tool “The NAT”. The NAT consists of six components 1 each upper handle (top), 1 each lower handle (base) and 4 each nutplate base inserts.

The NAT along with the specially designed abrasive pads (sold separately) allows the maintainer to quickly abrade the bond surface of CR series nutplates.  The tools radially abrades the bond surface of the nutplate, ensuring that 100% of bond surface is abraded uniformly in a matter of minutes.

The NAT is available with or without a convenient carrying case. The rugged case comes with a high-density custom foam insert for easy inventory and protection.

NAT “CR Series” Abrasive Pads

 

Nutplate Abrasion Tool (NAT) Operational Flow Chart

 

 

 

Nutplate Abrasion Tool (NAT) Instructions

A.  Select the appropriate unused abrasive pad that matches the nutplate being installed.

B.  Align flats on an unused abrasive pad with the flats and detent pins in the NAT upper handle (top) and snap into place.

C.  Ensure abrasive pad is fully seated in the top portion of the NAT.

D.  Align and snap the NAT nutplate insert that matches the size of the nutplate being installed into the NAT lower handle (base).

E.  Solvent wipe the nutplate being installed with the appropriate solvent and AMS3819 wipes.

F.  Seat nutplate into the cavity of the nutplate insert

G.  Align NAT top with base, press together, feeding the nutplate fixture through the hole in the abrasive pad and seat the nutplate bond surface to be abraded against the abrasive pad.

H.  Oscillate the abrasive pad back and forth 15 times by rotating the NAT top and base back in opposite directions

I.  Separate the NAT top from the base

J.  Inspect nutplate bond surface for uniform abrasion (Do not touch, wipe or clean the abraded surface). Reseat nutplate in the NAT nutplate insert and measure the abraded nutplate surface with the Surface Analyst (SA reading less than 50 is required). Re-abrade if necessary.

K.  Discard the used abrasive pad.

L.  Apply appropriate adhesive to nutplate bond surface and install in structure per Technical Data or manufactures directions.

 

 

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