UK company provides fire protection for Indian aircraft

The latest version of the Saras (Crane), a 16 seat light transport aircraft designed by the Indian National Aerospace Laboratories, is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).

Relying extensively on composite technology, the Saras utilises carbon fibre composite in major components of the aircraft to combine low weight with high strength.

Manufactured from both carbon fibre and aluminium, the aircraft's engine nacelles had to comply with fire safety regulations.

Independent tests were carried out in India and a fire resistant coating system provided by aerospace coating manufacturer Indestructible Paint Ltd of Birmingham UK was approved by the regulatory authority for this purpose.

The key components of this specialised technology-led protective system are Indestructible's IP9189 Intumescent paint and a thermal barrier coating.

On composite nacelle parts a primer developed especially for composites is applied first, the thermal barrier coating, MPC50019 R3, next then the Intumescent coating, IP9189.

On aluminium nacelle parts the composite primer is replaced by a strontium chromate primer formulated for use on metallic components.

The system is completed with a two-pack gloss white polyurethane finish.

All the approved coatings are now supplied to HAL by Indestructible through the company's Indian distributor, Matcom of Bangalore.