AAR develops stronger panels for interior cabinetry in business jets

AAR announces development of a line of fiberglass-skinned flat panels for business jet cabinetry that features increased strength performance. AAR representatives will have samples of the panels on hand in Booth 3775 at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention in Orlando October 30 through November 1.

With applications for interior cabinets and credenzas, the new flat panels use a phenolic resin formulation that has been tested to show up to a 10 percent increase in bending properties and twice the skin peel strength of previous formulations, while maintaining the flammability performance normally associated with phenolic panels.

"The new panels are a better alternative for manufacturers, adding strength without adding weight," said Tim Dumbauld, Vice President and General Manager for AAR's precision machining and composites fabrication businesses. "The surface finish is also ready for paint, which cuts down on labor for the cabinet maker, compared with other composite panels on the market."

The new panels are being approved by the FAA to establish published A-basis and B-basis structural tested values. AAR plans to strategically locate inventories of the new panels to streamline shipments and minimize lead times.