Performance Plastics' latest products include gap-clearing knives, grout-removing drills and disc cutters, and adhesive cutters and reamer.
All new EnduroSharp ™ products use Solvay's high-performance Torlon® 5030 PAI (polyamideimide)-30% glass fiber reinforced resin.
"To remove residual materials, sealants, and adhesives from gaps in the surface of aircraft, maintenance staff had to choose between dangerous metal knives and polymer knives that could not stay sharp for long periods of time," said Vice President Marketing at Performance Plastics. According to Rich Reed: "The unique properties of Solvay Torlon® PAI combine the advantages of both types of materials to be as sharp as metal without damaging the surface of vulnerable composites."
If other high-performance polymers such as polyvinylimide (PEI) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) are used to make the doctor blade, a secondary machining of the molding blank is required to sharpen the sharp blade. In contrast, Torlon® PAI is easy to process, so that the EnduroSharp tool has a sufficiently sharp edge when it comes out of the mold, and the material can also be machined to meet special design requirements.
Torlon® PAI's excellent thermal stability makes it sufficient to withstand the high temperature and friction during re-grinding. PEEK and PEI materials will produce burrs under the same conditions. In addition, Torlon® PAI is also highly resistant to aerospace working fluids and solvents, helping to ensure a long service life for EnduroSharp ™ tools.
EnduroSharp ™ 's latest toolholders, handles, and inserts ensure aviation maintenance personnel safely remove fiber-reinforced composites, plastic, glass, ceramic, or metal substrates and fasteners with elastic coatings, protective covers, tapes, sealants , Adhesives, gap fillers and tape residues. EnduroSharp ™ tools can also be used to assist heating and chemical shaving processes to speed material removal.