PPG Industries' aerospace business has qualified PRC® FIP Strip form-in-place sealant tape to SAE International's Aerospace Material Specification 3379 for polysulfide rubber preformed strips used to seal removable doors, skins and panels.

According to Bill Keller, PPG Aerospace global segment manager for aerospace sealants, AMS qualification is important in product selection for airframe manufacturing. But a specification did not exist when PRC FIP Strip sealant was introduced, so PPG initiated development of AMS 3379.

“Because PRC FIP Strip sealant tape is unique, there was no specification to establish material standards,” Keller said. “We wanted product performance verified by independent testing required to meet a specification, so we worked with SAE and Lockheed Martin in development of the specification. Now airframe manufacturers that use PRC FIP Strip sealant know it performs according to the requirements of this industry standard.”

Compared with traditional wet-applied sealants, easy-to-use PRC FIP Strip sealant tape significantly reduces application time and cleanup costs, Keller said. It can decrease what is traditionally a multi-shift process down to single-shift operation of just four to six hours. Available in a variety of sizes and shapes as well as custom configurations, lengths and rolls, the sealant is delivered premixed and frozen.

PRC FIP Strip sealant is used by general aviation, commercial and military aircraft manufacturers in applications that include sealing wing fairings and access doors.