2013/11/05

Henkel launches surfacing film with improved properties for aircraft

Loctite EA 9845 LC Aero with lightning strike protection

Henkel is launching its innovative epoxy-based surfacing film for composites, which offers honeycomb-cored composites enhanced protection against lightning strike. Loctite EA 9845 LC Aero is based on the modified epoxy film adhesive Loctite EA 9845 SF Aero. It produces a high quality finished part while also enabling a weight saving of 30 percent.
The increased use of composites in aerospace engineering is coupled with a demand for high-quality surface finishes on the associated parts. Loctite EA 9845 LC Aero is an epoxy-based surfacing film for composites that contains a lightweight conductive foil. It was developed to improve the surface quality of honeycomb-cored composite parts while protecting it from lightning strike damage.
The product reduces surface imperfections, offers a 30 percent weight saving compared to current surfacing films, and minimizes the pre-paint preparation requirement. In addition, the expanded conductive foil maximizes protection against lightning strike. The new product also simplifies repairs to damage caused by lightning.
Loctite EA 9845 LC Aero for durable, high-quality paintable surfaces
In line with the continuing trend toward lightweight construction, the use of Loctite EA 9845 LC Aero allows aircraft manufacturers to achieve weight savings of up to 30 percent. With its low areal weight, this surfacing film from Henkel minimizes core crush and reduces core mark-through. Increased resistance to UV radiation eliminates the need for sanding and reworking prior to painting. Even without sanding, Loctite EA 9845 LC Aero offers good paint adhesion, thereby increasing the durability of the composite parts’ finished surface.
Chemical resistance to paint stripper reduces the time required for masking, which in turn lowers composite part finishing costs. The surfacing film offers additional flexibility in that it can be cured within a temperature range of 120° to 176° Celsius. Innovative Loctite EA 9845 LC Aero can be applied to areas including the fuselage, wings, engine nacelles and control surfaces.
For more information, visit our website www.henkel.com/aerospace

Loctite is a registered trademark of Henkel and/or its affiliates in Germany and elsewhere.

Henkel operates worldwide with leading brands and technologies in three business areas: 
Laundry & Home Care, Beauty Care and Adhesive Technologies. Founded in 1876, Henkel holds globally leading market positions both in the consumer and industrial businesses with well-known brands such as Persil, Schwarzkopf and Loctite. Henkel employs about 47,000 people and reported sales of 16,510 million euros and adjusted operating profit of 2,335 million euros in fiscal 2012. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX.

Photo material is available at http://www.henkel.com/press

Contact	Lisa Kretzberg	Holger Elfes
Phone	+49 211 797-56 72	+49 211 797-99 33
E-mail	lisa.kretzberg@henkel.com	holger.elfes@henkel.com

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

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Henkel is launching its innovative epoxy-based surfacing film for composites, which offers honeycomb-cored composites enhanced protection against lightning strike (Photo: Getty Images).