High-Temperature Integral Tank Sealant

The Air Force has a long history of utilizing integral fuel tank technology as a mechanism for lowering weight and extending flight range and payload of its aircraft. A critical element in the use of these fuel tanks is that they be well sealed to the airframe. These elastomeric seals have been a continual source of leak and degradation problems that have resulted in expensive maintenance and significant aircraft downtime. Sealant materials developed to date do not meet the requirements for high temperature fuel resistance combined with high strength and toughness required by the new generation of military aircraft. TRI/Austin is proposing to meet this need with a new type of tough, high adhesion polymer that can be formulated into a sealant that will be applied to integral fuel tanks using current processes. This polymer is expected to provide excellent inherent fuel resistance along with good strength and toughness, low and high temperature flexibility and adhesion, and good heat resistance in air and fuel vapors.