What Are Propeller Coatings In an Airplane?
Aircraft are often blanketed in coatings, sealants, lubricants, finishes, and various other types of substances that create thin films around internal or external components for additional protection against environmental stressors, debris, contamination, and more. For turboprop planes in particular, it is common to have propeller coatings. In fact, it is beneficial to invest in them if you own or operate this type of aircraft.
Instead of being powered by jet engines like their counterparts, turboprops utilize one or more motor-driven propellers for the means of propulsion. Propeller coatings are designed to form a protective layer over the propellers, and they usually consist of epoxy sprays. Any time a propeller is cleaned, you must apply a propeller coating to it by spraying its surface.
During flight, propellers are often exposed to wear and tear, which eventually requires that they be repaired or replaced. With the application of such protective coatings, you can extend the life of your propellers. For instance, since propellers are generally made of metal, propeller coatings can also protect against corrosion. Without such protection, when the metal propeller is exposed to oxygen, it will begin to oxidize and corrode.
Beyond corrosion protection, propeller coatings can also protect the paint on the propeller. Some aircraft have a bare metal propeller, whereas others have a painted propeller. With time, the paint can degrade and flake off, and instead of repainting it, you can apply a propeller coating to seal the paint and keep it intact. When deciding between propeller coatings, there are a few factors to consider, those of which we will outline below.
To begin, the number one thing to be sure of is that the propeller coating you choose is designed specifically for propellers. While this may seem obvious, there are many epoxy sprays available on the market and only some cater to propellers. Since propeller coatings are formulated to offer the highest level of protection, you should always check the product description and instructions when making a purchasing decision.
Though a majority of propeller coatings consist of easy-to-use sprays, some require additional steps for application. For example, some coatings necessitate that the propellers be primed beforehand as is the case with bare metal propellers. Additionally, if a propeller is not painted, it will need to be primed before applying the coating to it.
When you start sourcing propeller coatings for your aircraft, we recommend that you buy from a reputable distributor. This is important because expired or low-grade propeller coatings can affect the performance of your aircraft. With the safety of those on board in mind, you should only purchase top-quality propeller coatings that meet your aircraft’s needs. That being said, we encourage you to contact the experts at Aerospace Store.
Aerospace Store has an ever-expanding inventory of aircraft parts and components from top manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, and Cessna Citation. With over 2 billion ready-to-purchase items in our inventory, customers can fulfill their operational needs with ease. More than that, we subject our stock to rigorous quality assurance tests, verifications, and assessments, ensuring that you only receive quality offerings with each order. At Aerospace Store, we operate as an AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accredited business, meaning that you can trust in the integrity of our offerings. With a network of distribution centers that spans across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, we leverage our market expertise and purchasing power to bring you expedited shipping services, low price points, and high caliber products.
Kickoff the procurement process by completing a Request for Quote (RFQ) form which can be accessed via our Instant RFQ service. Within 15 minutes or less of submission, an expert team member will reach out with a customized solution that meets your unique needs. We only ask that you provide as many details as possible regarding your part requirements including target prices, desired quantities, and operational deadlines. For additional inquiries, call or email us at your earliest convenience; we are available for our customers 24/7x365!
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