TPi March 2016

business & market news

Lightweight pipes for aircraft high-voltage cable

Customized profile solutions

conduit lines To improve the overall fuel efficiency and reliability of its new commercial aircraft platform, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) selected Victrex pipes rather than metal tubing for use in high-voltage cable conduits. The new thermoplastic solution, which is claimed to deliver weight savings of up to 45 per cent, is being supplied through the partnership of Beijing FeiHang JiDa Aviation Technology Co, Ltd and Victrex. COMAC and Beijing FeiHang engineers are working with Victrex to address the challenges of launching a civil aircraft that is safe, cost effective, comfortable and environmentally friendly. The Victrex PEEK-based tubing surpassed airworthiness testing in China, which included maintaining operational performance under impact, loads, temperature variations, and other environmental conditions. With the technical expertise and support of Victrex, the companies were able to design a lightweight high-voltage cable protection system within a much shorter development cycle. Victrex pipes are typically used in the replacement of aluminium, titanium and stainless steel tubing systems. For this specific application, the Victrex PEEK- based tubing was tested and validated

by COMAC, and achieved weight savings of up to 45 per cent when compared with titanium equivalent tubing. This weight reduction can lead to both improved fuel efficiency and a reduction in CO 2 emissions. The durable tubing system also serves as a shock absorber in the protection of the cables. “Victrex is focused on delivering high- performance solutions that can help airframers and tier suppliers achieve their goals,” stated Xue Wei, aerospace key account manager at Victrex. “It is rewarding to partner with companies like Beijing FeiHang to achieve the best results, not only in component performance, but also in delivering improvements in efficiencies.” Victrex collaborated with the engineering teams to design a system that is able to take advantage of a much quicker manufacturing process that does not require machining or anti-corrosion treatments as metals would.

Hoesch Schwerter Profile GmbH closely cooperates with their customers – from the concept, technical design, and manufacturing phases to just-in-time delivery. In this way we developed HOESCH composi- te tubes – used power stations, boiler and heat-exchanging plants and coalification plants . Hoesch Schwerter Profile GmbH uses the hot extrusion process to combine two different material grades to produce a single composite tube. In addition to our various manufacturing processes, we also employ a wide range of metalworking options. Utilise our capabilities. We rely on your trust! succesfully by our customers in waste-to- energy plants,

Victrex plc – UK www.victrex.com

Beijing FeiHang JiDa Aviation Technology – China feihangjida@fhjida.com www.fhjida.com/en

Innovatively. Individually. Economically.

Hoesch Schwerter Profile GmbH Eisenindustriestrasse 1 · D-58239 Schwerte Tel.: ++49 (0)23 04 106-608 Fax: ++49 (0)23 04 106-591

E-Mail: info@hoesch-profile.com Internet: www.hoesch-profile.com

High-voltage cable conduit solution using Victrex pipes

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March 2016 Tube Products International