New aerospace design and fabrication involving composite materials alter typical aerospace fastener material requirements. Some of the more common aerospace fasteners for these aerospace composite panels are:
- Alcoa’s titanium Mark IV or Tridair Fastening System which consist of lock nut and titanium stud bolt and has a composite flat beam receptacle plate.
- Cherry 1900 blind fastener NAS1919/NAS1921 is suitable in composite panels because of the large blind side footprint.
- Clipnuts made of a new material Torlon a high strength thermoplastic manufactured by Solvay Plastics. They are light-weight, and at the same time reduce the risk of corrosion from dissimilar metals.
Our customers often ask, “What is the difference between using standard aircraft fasteners and the recommended aircraft fastener systems when dealing with advanced aerospace composites?”
– One reason is to reduce corrosion from dissimilar metals/material the plate or flat beam is made of composite or in the case of the Clipnuts a thermoplastic material.
– Another difference from standard aircraft fasteners in the case of the Cherry 1900 is the larger footprint of the blind side bulb. The increased area reduces the risk of delamination to the composite panel.
Please call us with any additional questions, ask for Larry