In Aerospace and Defence, reliability is vital in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) to ensure safety and performance. 3M Industrial Tapes offer high quality, consistent results helping to reduce downtime and improve efficiency while providing full traceability and documentation to meet requirements.
Why use tape in MRO applications?
Manufacturing and MRO applications in defence and aerospace face many extremes and require materials which can withstand harsh environments but also reduce production costs and time. Pain points commonly associated with MRO applications include:
- Long cure times
- Enduring extreme processes like bake cycles
- Adhesive residue or paint defects
- Industry compliance and regulations
- Weather, temperature, and chemical exposure
- Noise reduction
- Precision lines
- Durable and clear safety markings for high traffic areas
3M industrial tapes offer high performance solutions to these pain points with immediate hold, durability, temperature resistance, clean removal, compliance documentation and more.
Manufacturing Needs and Tape
There are 5 common needs within Defence and Aerospace MRO and manufacturing: weather resistance, temperature resistance, chemical resistance, precision painting, and safety markings. All which have a suitable 3M Industrial Tape.
Weather Resistance
Components face exposure to the elements, moisture, and UV which can cause corrosion, fading, and failure, which is costly and unsafe. Seals must be able to withstand this and provide a reliable defensive barrier.
UV resistant 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979, maintains performance when exposed to the elements and protects against light abrasion. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, 8979 offers immediate stick and reliability for up to one year. This tape can also be used in temporary applications with clean removal up to six months. 8979 conforms to irregular and curved surfaces and creates a tight moisture resistant seal, ideal for containment operations.
Temperature Resistance
Parts in defence and aerospace face extreme temperatures and cycling during in the field use, manufacturing, or maintenance. In the short term, tapes need to withstand high temperature paint cycles or welding, and long term they need to protect components from engine heat or the cold cargo hold.
3M Glass Cloth Tape 361 is a high temperature resistant tape which protects surfaces from intermittent temperatures up to 288°C. This tape offers high adhesion, long ageing, good holding power, and clean removal and is ideal for masking protection in thermal spray operations.
3M Aluminium Foil Tape 425 is a general purpose, thermally conductive tape which helps to dissipate heat and improve cooling efficiency. 425 offers long term durability, resistance to chemicals, can withstand exposure to flame, UV, and moisture, and reflects heat and light to enhance lighting efficiency. UL approval, Class L for low flammability, this tape protects surfaces and temperature sensitive materials.
Chemical Resistance
Aggressive chemicals are often used throughout maintenance operations, so tape is used to protect components from exposure.
The 3M Polyester Tape 8992 offers excellent thermal and chemical resistance while maintaining its flexibility in demanding environments. This tape excels in high temperatures ranging from -50ºC up to 204ºC and can be cleanly removed during high temperature masking operations. The excellent chemical resistance of 8992 means, it works effectively in chemical processes and demanding conditions, such as anodizing.
Precision Painting
To meet quality and compliance demands, attention to detail is needed down to precise paint lines. Paint masking solutions which can withstand high temperatures also need to offer clean removal to result in crisp lines first time.
Scotch Fine Line Tape 218 offers conformability and clean removal for painting long straight lines or sweeping curves, leaving a crisp sharp line. The thinness of this tape provides excellent colour line separation, and the backing allows for taping over fresh paint quick and with less chance of damage than paper tapes.
Safety Marking
Painting safety markings is oftentimes too permanent for MRO operations or risks fading, instead tape can be used to clearly mark traffic lanes and hazard areas. Tapes offer a durable solution withstanding wear but can still be removed when needed.
3M Durable Floor Marking Tape 971, a heavy-duty vinyl backing tape ideal for high traffic areas. This tape is easy to apply with a strong bond, no drying time and minimal preparation making it more efficient than paint. It’s unique rubber adhesive also allows for residue free removal supporting layout changes. 971 maintains colour during heavy wear for visibility and resists moisture and many chemicals
For more information about how Viking Tapes and 3M can help with your defence and aerospace MRO application reach out to our experts.
Why Choose Viking Tapes?
Formed in 1989, Viking have over 36 years of technical experience suppling tapes, adhesives and abrasives across industries. Viking was acquired by TECHSiL in 2024, further expanding the product offering of Viking and the services we can provide our customers.
Services We Offer:
- JOSCAR registered
- 3M preferred distributor for industrial adhesives and tapes
- Tape slitting and stock management
- Extensive technical expertise
- Excellent customer service
- ISO 9001:2015 certified
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