The aerospace industry in Los Angeles makes worthwhile use of the potential of plastics. In fact, plastic features in nearly every aspect of aerospace, especially in airplanes. The material is better than metal on many fronts, and it’s a more practical choice for the fabrication of aerospace components for a variety of reasons. Learn more about how plastics are used in aircraft and why it’s the best material for the job – and how Polymershapes helps make it happen.
Plastic vs. Metal
In servicing the aerospace industry around Los Angeles, we’ve learned something. Once upon a time, metal was the material of choice for nearly every aerospace part, but in the aerospace arena, metal doesn’t hold a candle to the versatile capabilities of plastics designed for use in aerospace.
From a practical standpoint, plastic doesn’t weigh as much as metal, which is cumbersome and heavy, particularly when used for every part of the aircraft. Whether you’re talking about an airplane or a rocket ship, aerospace crafts need to be lightweight. Metal doesn’t offer that feature when it comes to designing and fabricating some aerospace components.
Aircraft need to weigh as little as possible to save on fuel. A heavy craft requires more fuel to keep it aloft. Less fuel consumption not only saves money for the aircraft company but also for passengers. Removing one pound of weight from a plane can save 15,000 gallons of fuel annually.
As a rule, the plastics used in aircraft last longer, as well. Plastic is also more durable than metal because it doesn’t rust over time. As a result, plastic parts take up less time and money in terms of maintenance. Reproducing and replacing plastic parts is also easier. For example, thermoforming can create plastic aerospace components at a high volume and quick speed.
Plastics have the power to enhance the overall safety of the aerospace industry in Los Angeles and around the rest of the country. Numerous plastics are resistant to flames, fire, heat, smoke, and toxicity.
Applications in Aerospace
There’s no discounting the versatility of the plastics used in aerospace parts. Many aerospace plastics are flexible, in that you can pick out any color, pattern, or texture you want. Due to the ability to easily mold plastic into an array of shapes, it can feature in almost any area of the aircraft, including but not limited to:
- Beverage carts
- Cargo containers
- Cockpits
- Dashboard enclosures
- Nose cones
- Ceiling panels
- Wall partitions
- Seating parts
- Toilets
- Mirrors
We have more than 70 years of experience manufacturing aerospace plastics. Reach out to Polymershapes to discuss the aerospace industry in Los Angeles and your aerospace component needs.
