Gleaming prospects:
‘green’ chrome
GREEN AND CLEAN
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
184 MARCH 2020
3D CMF virtualisation
Materials validation can be lengthy
and challenging when several
iterations of physical samples are
sent between locations, and digital
renderings often fall far short of
representing the real material’s colour
and texture. However, X-Rite’s Total
Appearance Capture (TAC) ecosystem
provides realism in digital material
capture and 3D virtualisation,
closing the gap between
real and virtual materials
through full
appearance
measurement.
CLEAR THERMOPLASTIC SHEET
Using this technology and more, the
appLab and designLab teams at Sekisui
Kydex aspire to improve concept,
design and delivery for customers.
From technology such as the TAC to
a suite of thermoforming equipment
in the appLab, rapid prototyping is the
goal. Visitors to Sekisui Kydex’s design
labs can explore 3D
virtualisation and use vivid
colours, textiles, imagery,
technology and
real-world examples
to create virtual
prototypes.
Sourcing design-forward
materials that meet industry
compliance and exceed
passenger expectations is a
necessity in aviation. The Kydex
FST product suite features
PC-copolymers produced
exclusively by Sekisui Kydex,
which enable designers to realise
multi-faceted designs with low
minimums and custom colour
through the fully compliant
FST range, which includes
opaque, pearlescent and tinted
colour/translucent options.
The company is set to launch
a new version: Kydex FST CLR,
a clear thermoplastic sheet.
The Kydex FST range is
formulated to meet all OEM
requirements for interior
components. It delivers excellent
formability and a finish while
meeting the flammability and
smoke development
requirements outlined in Federal
Aviation Regulations (FAR)
25.853 paragraphs (a) and (d) and
toxicity requirements for Airbus
(ABD0031) and Boeing (BSS7239).
A chrome look is popular for many
aircraft interior parts, but the
electroplating process that is required
to apply chrome can be complex,
expensive and harmful to the
environment, with high rejection
rates often a problem.
In order to solve these issues,
Mankiewicz has developed a paint
that achieves a chrome look, but is
claimed to be safer, faster, less costly
and less harmful to the environment
than electroplating.
Paint has been used for some time
to simulate metallic effects, but a
chrome effect has been more difficult
to achieve. The solution is that the
pigments in Mankiewicz’s new paint
are so fine that the human eye
cannot discern them, enabling a
metallic effect on the painted surface.
The system can be applied as
a single coat, with a palette that
includes various colour nuances
suitable for hand rails and buttons,
for example.
This year sees Wollsdorf
introduce the BrighTan
ecologically friendly tanning
method, as well as the Evo+
antibacterial leather surface
treatment. The bright
tanning process of BrighTan
represents the current state-of-the-art in tanning
and combines the functionality of modern leathers
with ecological requirements. The tanning process
is completely free of heavy metals, chrome and
glutaraldehydes. Evo+ provides protection against
bacterial colonisation, and within only a few hours
after application, bacteria on leather surfaces is
effectively reduced by 99.9%.
Paint
pigments so
f ine the human
eye cannot
discern them
INT ER IOR S I NNOVAT ION cabin materials
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