In the aerospace field, fluororubber (FKM) Reinforced fabric inflatable seal and silicone rubber reinforced inflatable seal are two key enhanced inflatable seal solutions. Their material properties are highly compatible with aerospace operating conditions, as detailed below:
1. Fluororubber (FKM) Reinforced Gas-Filled Seals: Guardians of Extreme Environments
Core Advantages: Fluororubber is renowned for its high-temperature resistance (long-term operating temperature up to 300℃) and chemical corrosion resistance, making it particularly suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure environments such as aero engines and fuel systems, where it comes into contact with corrosive media. The fluorine atoms in its molecular structure endow it with excellent oxidation and solvent resistance, maintaining stable inflatable seal performance even after long-term exposure to aviation fuel, hydraulic oil, or highly oxidizing environments.
Typical Applications:
Aero Engine Seals: In the mechanical power system of an engine, fluororubber seals, as seal inflatable components of the secondary and main airflow channels, directly affect turbine efficiency and boost ratio. For example, a 1% reduction in seal leakage can increase the engine's effective thrust by 1%, highlighting its crucial role.
Fuel system seals: Fluororubber's resistance to fuel permeation makes it the preferred material for sealing fuel lines and fuel tanks, preventing safety hazards caused by fuel leaks.
Hydraulic system seals: In high-pressure hydraulic systems, fluororubber seals can withstand extreme pressure, ensuring stable operation of the hydraulic system.
Silicone Rubber Reinforced Inflatable Seals: A Paradigm of Low Temperature and Flexibility
Core Advantages: Silicone rubber is characterized by its resistance to low temperatures (minimum operating temperature down to -60°C) and physiological inertness, making it suitable for sealing in the low-temperature environments of aircraft and in scenarios requiring contact with the human body. The flexibility of its molecular chains allows it to maintain elasticity even at extreme temperatures, preventing seal failure due to thermal expansion and contraction.
Typical Applications:
Door Sealing: Large aircraft doors have a large perimeter, and due to variations in manufacturing precision and temperature, sealing gaps can reach 3-5mm or even larger. Inflatable silicone rubber seals compensate for these gap changes through inflation, achieving dynamic sealing and solving the problem of traditional sealing strips being unable to adapt to deformation. For example, the improved sealing design of emergency hatch covers uses hollow tubular silicone rubber sealing strips, solving the leakage problem caused by frequent opening.
Cryogenic Equipment Sealing: In scenarios such as cryogenic storage tanks and liquid oxygen systems in aircraft, the low-temperature resistance of silicone rubber ensures that seals do not become brittle or leak in extremely cold environments.
Medical and Food Grade Seals: The physiological inertness of silicone rubber makes it suitable for sealing aerospace medical equipment (such as in-flight emergency equipment), while also meeting food-grade standards for use in in-flight catering equipment.
Fiber-Reinforced Pneumatic Seals: A Composite Solution of High Strength and Wear Resistance
Core Advantages: Fiber-reinforced pneumatic seals, by embedding fibers (such as aramid fibers and glass fibers) into a rubber matrix, significantly improve its tear strength and wear resistance, making them suitable for sealing applications in aircraft that require exposure to high-frequency vibration or mechanical friction.
Typical Applications:
Vibration Isolation Seals: In areas subject to severe vibration, such as aircraft engine suspension systems and landing gear, fiber-reinforced seals reduce wear on sealing surfaces and extend service life.
High-Frequency Opening and Closing Seals: In areas requiring frequent opening and closing, such as aircraft cargo doors and maintenance doors, the wear-resistant properties of fiber-reinforced seals reduce maintenance costs.
High-Pressure Seals: At high-pressure pipeline connections in hydraulic systems, fiber-reinforced structures can withstand higher pressures, preventing seal failure due to compression deformation.