Airbus selects Tods thermoplastics

Tods Aerospace Ltd has secured a contract for the manufacture of thermoplastic OHD Heatshields, and other special composite packers, for the wings of the A400M Airbus military transporter aircraft. The inital contract, for the first 170 aircraft, is worth approximately US $20 million.

The Heatshields are manufactured in thermoformed carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic and are designed to protect the main wing spars in the event of engine overheating. Traditionally such shields are constructed in titanium, but on the A400M's new generation composite wings a cost-effective lightweight composite solution is required.

Tods Managing Director Simon Finch stated that: "Strategically we identify and develop new materials and manufacturing methods to enable our customers to meet ever more demanding aircraft operating cost targets. Many civil aircraft carry our thermoplastic floor structures and it is therefore pleasing that, having worked with Airbus over the last four years, the company has selected our low weight, high strength thermoplastics for use on its latest military aircraft".