aeromatters

The newsletter of aerospace materials pty ltd Volume 4-1

The way it was:
It's 60 Years since Chuck Yeager broke the Sound Barrier in the Bell X-1

On its earlier flights the Bell X-1 rocket plane had experienced elevator stall and loss of control at speeds approaching Mach 0.87 so on the 8th flight a movable horizontal stabilizer allowing a quarter of a degree at a time change in the angle of incidence, was tested . It was effective at high speed and provided control.

The ninth flight on October 14th 1947 started as usual with the X-1 being dropped by the B-29 mothership in a shallow dive at 20,000ft. After fighting to gain control as the drop airspeed was to slow, Yeager fired all four rocket chambers in sequence. He climbed and at 0.88 Mach the ship began to buffet as it had in earlier flights. Yeager changed the stabilizer setting two degrees and it smoothed out. After shutting off two rockets the X-1 climbed through 40,000 ft at a speed of 0.92 Mach.

X-1 in flight. Note the gas plasma beads forming in the exhaust

The laconic Yeager and his chase plane pilot during the record flight, Bob Hoover both visited the Avalon Airshow in recent years. They personified "the right stuff".

Tech Tips - Killing Corrosion 101

1. Clean the part thoroughly using Turco 5948 DPM cleaner. Rinse and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Water shold not bead. If the water beads, clean again.
2. Deoxidise with Deoxidine 624 dilute 3:1 or Turco WO1 Dilute with 3 to 6 parts water. Apply the solution by brush.
3. Rinse with clear water
4. Dip or brush on premixed Alodine 1200L completely covering metal with a thin coat. Ensure the whole surface is covered. Leave for 3 minutes .
5. Hose off with clean water
6. Allow to air dry and paint if required.

Composites: The future challenge for the Maintenance Industry

The time and temperature limits for all resins and adhesives are set by rigorous testing by the manufacturers. Exceeding the tested temperature parameters or out time guidelines in transit or storage can substantially weaken the ultimate strength of the structural bonding.

Adhesive Logistics Issues

• How do you know the adhesive you are using wasn't left out on the airport apron at Singapore in 400 C for three days awaiting trans shipment?
• Did your supplier have their fridge at the correct temperature?
• Was the adhesive left in your receiving warehouse for a week awaiting un-packing and inspection before being put in the fridge?

What we at Aerospace Materials can do to help.

Aircraft manufacturers demand and we provide:

• Full certification and full trace ability
• Recorded out times
• Electronic temperature recorders accompanying all temperature sensitive import shipments.
• Four separate storage temperature zones
• Storages are computer logged for temperature hourly.
• Delivery by refrigerated local delivery vehicle for film adhesives
• Dry ice shipment is provided for air shipment of film adhesives.

New!
Loctite Industrial products with certs

Aerospace Materials has been appointed an official distributor of these products to the aviation industry. We are still building up stocks so if you have a product in this range that you need certs for and you regularly use it, let us know and we will stock it. Our range will include 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 & 700 series products and a few others.

NEW
P/S and PR Fuel Tank and General Sealants

LPS Spray Lubricants and Rust Inhibitors

Momentive (GE) RTV Sealants

For any obscure or hard to get chemicals, adhesives or lubricants, give our Sales Manager Lisa Mayoh a call on 03 9464 4455 or email her on: sales@aerospacematerials.com.au
FAX 03 9464 4422

With 19 years in Aviation Chemicals there isn't much she can't find.

Billet Cutting on Australia's largest bed plate saw