ACRYLITE® for Aviation - Discover Infinite Space
Reach for the sky with Roehm
Roehm America LLC is a leading manufacturer of acrylic sheet, acrylic molding compounds, bulk and performance monomers. Having spread-headed the development and expansion of continuously manufactured and specialty cell cast sheet products we have earned a reputation as a leader in innovative technology in the plastics industry. Our strengths are creativity, specialization continuous self-renewal, and reliability.
Aircraft glazing was one of the first applications for cast acrylic sheet. Acrylic is lightweight, resistant to thermal shock, has excellent optical clarity and mechanical properties.
ACRYLITE® LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS FOR A CLEAR VIEW
PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS
Cast aviation grade sheets are used for glazing, edge-lit panels, wing tip lenses, and other transparent applications in the aviation industry. ACRYLITE® aviation grade sheet possesses the following properties:
- Excellent light transmission and brilliance
- Outstanding weather resistance
- 100% recycling ability
- Easy to fabricate
- High surface hardness
- Light weight – half the weight of glass
- 11 times more break resistant than glass
SALES RANGE SPECIALIZED MATERIALS THAT ARE RELIABLE AND DURABLE
GRADES
The aviation acrylic sheet products include: ACRYLITE® GS 249 aviation grade, which is a cross-linked acrylic sheet. ACRYLITE® GS 249 meets prEN 4365. Furthermore it is qualified by the US Navy to meet Military Specification MIL-PRF-8184 as a Type I, Class 2 material. As such, it is also suitable for Type II and Class 1 applications. ACRYLITE® GMS aviation acrylic sheet meets prEN 4364 and is qualified by the US Navy to meet the requirements of Military Specification MIL-PRF-5425. Furthermore, ACRYLITE® Stretched Acrylic is qualified to prEN 4366 as well as MIL-PRF-25690. Together with our products we offer our customers competent application-oriented advice, custom-tailored solutions and compliance with all relevant standards and specifications.
ACRYLITE® GMU
This sheet is a cell cast acrylic sheet designed for general aviation and helicopter window applications and is superior to standard cell cast acrylics in both optical quality and thickness tolerance. The material is used for applications that do not specify material certified to any particular aviation standard. It is manufactured and certified to meet the requirements of AMS-LP-391, Type I, Grade C.
APPLICATION
ACRYLITE® GMU sheet is used for aviation applications where military specifications are not required at an economical cost.
FABRICATION
Fabrication techniques used on standard cell cast acrylic sheet will be appropriate for ACRYLITE® GMU sheet. When drape forming this sheet, excellent results can be achieved if the sheet is heated evenly between 300 °F and 320 °F. For pressure forming or vacuum forming operations temperature of 340 °F to 380 °F are recommended.
PROPERTIES
- UV transmittance < 1 % (UV range of 290 nm - 330 nm)
- ACRYLITE® GMU sheet is tested to high optical standards for glazing that does not specify require a specification. We do certify it to AMS-LP-391, Item A, Type I, Grade C
Applications of ACRYLITE® in Aviation Tranparency
ACRYLITE® GMS
ACRYLITE® GMS acrylic sheet meets and is qualified to prEN 4364 and MIL- PRF-5425 for use in the aviation industry in applications where exacting standards are established for aircraft applications. It has premium optical quality, dimensional stability, and extraordinary flatness and tolerance control.
APPLICATION
Current applications include instrument panels, wingtip lenses, dust covers, helicopter bubbles, and aircraft canopies. ACRYLITE® GMS sheet is used in aerospace transparent enclosures in monolithic or laminated form.
FABRICATION
Fabrication techniques used on standard cell cast acrylic sheet will be appropriate for ACRYLITE® GMS sheet. When drape forming this sheet, excellent results can be achieved if the sheet is heated evenly between 300 °F and 320 °F. For pressure forming or vacuum forming operations temperature of 340 °F to 380 °F are recommended.
PROPERTIES
- UV transmittance < 1 % (UV range of 290 nm - 330 nm)
- Certified to aviation standard prEN 4364 and MIL-PRF-5425 and listed on the US Navy’s QPL
- Is a cell-cast acrylic with excellent weather resistance specially developed to meet the high optical requirements of the aviation industry
ACRYLITE® GS 249
ACRYLITE® GS 249 acrylic sheet meets and is qualified to prEN 4365 and MIL-PRF-8184 (Type I, Class 2). ACRYLITE® GS 249 is a cross-linked cast acrylic sheet with increased resistance to crazing and solvent attack, as well as improved dimensional stability after heating.
APPLICATION
ACRYLITE® GS 249 sheet is used in a wide variety of commercial, military, and rotary wing transparencies in monolithic or laminated form.
FABRICATION
Most fabrication techniques used with other acrylic sheet materials can also be followed when fabricating ACRYLITE® GS 249 sheet. Forming techniques may vary slightly.
PROPERTIES
- UV transmittance < 1 % (UV range of 290 nm - 330 nm)
- Certified to aviation prEN 4365 and Mil-PRF-8184
- Cross-linked acrylic sheet developed to withstand craze and weathering
- Offers higher resistance to media that cause stress cracking and a higher heat deflection temperature
- Excellent suited for stretching, which makes it possible to improve its properties even further over the unstretched state
- As MIL-PRF-8184 Type I, Class 2 material, it is also suitable for use in Type II and / or Class 1 applications
ACRYLITE® STRETCHED
ACRYLITE® Stretched acrylic sheet meets and is certified to prEN 4366 and MIL-PRF-25690. ACRYLITE® Stretched is produced from Roehm’s ACRYLITE® GS 249 cross-linked material. The stretched acrylic increases the resistance to crazing and solvent attack, as well as improves mechanical behavior.
APPLICATION
ACRYLITE® Stretched is used in a wide variety of commercial, military, and rotary wing applications in monolithic or laminated form.
FABRICATION
Most fabrication techniques used with conventional acrylic sheet materials can also be followed when fabricating ACRYLITE® Stretched sheet. Forming of stretched acrylic sheet requires unique and more sophisticated processing parameters. Forming temperatures should not exceed 230 °F and forming times are much longer than with un-stretched acrylic.
PROPERTIES
- UV transmittance < 1 % (UV range of 290 nm - 330 nm)
- Certified to aviation prEN 4366 and MIL-PRF-25690
- Offers higher resistance to environ- mental conditions
- Is produced from ACRYLITE® GS 249, prEN 4365 and Mil-PRF-8184
- Superior optical quality as well as thickness tolerances due to grinding an polishing of the material
- MIL-PRF-25690 Class 2 material, it is also suitable for Class 1 applications
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Colors
ACRYLITE® aircraft-grade acrylic sheet is available in a variety of transparent, translucent, and opaque colors. Please contact our sales department for further information.
2830Grey52
| Evonik Cast | Evonik Cast UV IR | Industry Standard | Color | Light Transmission* in % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2422 | Green | 74 | ||
| 2585 | Grey | 23 | ||
| 2928 | Blue | 76 | ||
| 2929 | 7YS15 | 2515 | Grey | 74 |
| 2930 | Grey | 48 | ||
| 5Y23 | 5527 | Blue | 46 | |
| 5Y48 | 2069 | Blue | 58 | |
| 5Y50 | 2454 | Blue | 78 | |
| 655 | Blue | 76 | ||
| 6Y24 | 2019 | Green | 83 | |
| 6Y32 | 6YS11 | 2111 | Green | 76 |
| 6Y86 | 2082 | Green | 65 | |
| 7X03 | Grey | 24 | ||
| 7X05 | Grey | 51 | ||
| 7Y00 | Grey | 27 | ||
| 7Y08 | Grey | 62 | ||
| 7Y12 | Grey | 67 | ||
| 7Y17 | 7YS17 | 2074 | Grey | 14 |
| 7Y18 | 7YS18 | 2094 | Grey | 46 |
| 7Y25 | 7YS25 | 2256 | Grey | 67 |
| 7Y35 | 2539 | Grey | 58 | |
| 7Y38 | 2537 | Grey | 33 | |
| 7Y43 | 7YS64 | 2064 | Grey | 27 |
| 7Y52 | 2412 | Grey | 26 | |
| 7Y70 | Grey | 74 |
* The light transmission is independent of the nominal sheet thickness. Every color can be matched as UV IR version.
UV IR ABSORBING FEATURE
ACRYLITE® aviation products are now available with UV and IR radiation absorbing features. The special color technology provides design flexibility to aircraft cockpits and cabin interiors by filtering out unwanted ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. This feature works in both ends of the solar spectrum outside the visible range. The reduction of UV and IR radiation exposure, helps minimize the weathering of interior fabrics and components, and prevents heat build-up in the aircraft enclosure. The UV and IR absorbing technology is available in all standard and custom colors. Additionally, these colors are available across our range of aviation glazing products: ACRYLITE® GMU (AMS-LP-391), ACRYLITE® GMS (prEN 4364 / MIL-PRF-5425) and ACRYLITE® GS 249 (prEN 4365 / MIL-PRF-8184) and in ACRYLITE® stretched (prEN 4366 / MIL-PRF-25690).
FABRICATION
Our products with UV and IR radiation absorbing features form, cut and process the same as our ACRYLITE® GMU, GMS and GS 249 products. In addition, Roehm's sheet sizes (up to and including 80" x 120" as cast) allow for greater yields and larger formed parts.
PROPERTIES
The UV and IR radiation absorbing mate- rial has the same physical properties as the corresponding ACRYLITE® product into which the features are included.The UV filtering is improved and the IR radiation is blocked even though the color impression in the visible range is maintained. The UV IR absorbing feature improves UV blocking up to 99.9%.
TECHNICAL DATA
Certification
*(automatically qualified for Class 1)
MIL Tolerance and Dimensions
ACRYLITE® aircraft grade acrylic sheets, blocks and billets are supplied within the tolerance limits of the applicable specification. Custom thicknesses and dimensions are available. Please contact our sales department for further information. Our process allows tight tolerances across a larger sheet size than is shown in the MIL specifications.
| Standard Thickness | Tolerance A (Up to 36” x 60” & 40” x 50”) | Tolerance B (Up to 53” x 80” & 60” x 72”) | Tolerance C | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| inch | mm | Specification | We offer in sizes up to | Specification | We offer in sizes up to | Specification | We offer in sizes up to |
| .060” | 1.524 | ±.012” | 64” x 76” | ±.020” | 64” x 100” | ||
| .080” | 2.032 | ±.012” | 70” x 88” | ±.020” | 72” x 112” | ||
| .100” | 2.540 | ±.012” | 70” x 96” | ±.020” | 72” x 112” | ||
| .125” | 3.175 | ±.015” | 64” x 85” | ±.020” | 72” x 85” | ±.030” | |
| .150” | 3.810 | ±.017” | 72” x 112” | ±.020” | ±.030” | ||
| .187” | 4.750 | ±.020” | 80” x 112” | ±.023” | ±.030” | ||
| .220” | 5.588 | ±.023” | ±.025” | ±.030” | |||
| .250” | 6.350 | ±.025” | ±.030” | ±.035” | |||
| .312” | 7.925 | ±.030” | ±.035” | ±.040” | |||
| .375” | 9.525 | ±.035” | ±.040” | ±.045” | |||
| .417” | 10.592 | ||||||
| .500” | 12.700 | ±.040” | 80” x 120” | ±.045” | 80” x 120” | ±.050” | 80” x 120” |
| .625” | 15.875 | ±.050” | ±.050” | ±.060” | |||
| .750” | 19.050 | ±.050” | ±.050” | ±.065” | |||
| .875” | 22.225 | ±.050” | ±.050” | ±.070” | |||
| 1.000” | 25.400 | ±.050” | ±.050” | ±.075” | |||
| 1.250” | 31.750 | ±.063” | ±.063” | ±.094” | |||
| 1.500” | 38.100 | ±.075” | ±.075” | ±.112” | |||
| 1.750” | 50.800 | ±.100” | ±.100” | ±.131” | |||
| 2.000” | 57.150 | ±.113” | ±.113” | ±.168” | |||
| 2.500” | 76.200 | ±.126” | ±.126” | ±.180” | |||
| 3.000 | 76.200 | ±.146” | ±.146” | ±.204” | |||
| 3.500” | 88.900 | ±.159” | ±.159” | ±.219” | |||
Product Properties of Cast ACRYLITE®
| Property | Test Method | Unit | Typical Value* | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACRYLITE® GMU | ACRYLITE® GMS | ACRYLITE® GS 249 | |||
| Specific Gravity |
ISO 1183; (ASTM D-792) |
g/cm³ | 1.19 | 1.19 | 1,19 |
| Tensile Strength |
ISO 527-2/1B/5; (ASTM D-638) |
MPa; (psi) | 80; (10,000) | 80; (11,000) | 80; (11,650) |
| Tensile Elongation |
ISO 527-2/1B/5; (ASTM D-638) |
% | 4.2 | 5.5 | 5 |
| Internal Strain | MIL-P-8184F | % | < 1 | < 1 | |
| Refractive Index |
ISO 489; (ASTM D 542) |
1.49 | 1.49 | ||
|
Light Transmittance • Initial • After accelerated weathering |
EN 2155-5; (ASTM D-1003) |
% |
91 89 |
91 89 |
|
|
Haze • Initial • After accelerated weathering |
EN 2155-5; (ASTM D-1003) EN 2155-5; (ASTM D-1003) |
% |
0.5 1.0 |
1.5 2.2 |
|
| Ultraviolet Transmittance | (l= 290 – 330 nm) | % | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Angular Deviation | EN 2155-7; (ASTM D-637) | Minutes | <4 | <4 | |
| Thermal Expansion |
EN 2155-12 ASTM D-696 |
1/K in./ °F |
7x105 3.9x105 |
7x105 3.9x105 |
|
| Heat Deflection Temperature |
ISO 75-2Ae; (ASTM D-648) |
°C °F |
105 222 |
105 222 |
113 236 |
| Vicat Softening Temperature | ISO 305-B 50 | °C | 115 | 118 | |
| Flammability |
EN 3844-2; (ASTM D-635) |
mm/min in./min. |
36 1.4 |
20 0.6 |
|
|
Water Absorption • Standard • Long term |
MIL-P-8184 MIL-P-8184 |
% |
0.2 2.1 |
||
|
Craze Resistance Dry • Isopropyl alcohol • Lacquer thinner Wet • Isopropyl alcohol • Lacquer thinner |
MIL-P-8184F MIL-P-8184F MIL-P-8184F MIL-P-8184F EN 2155-19 |
psi psi psi psi MPa |
2880 2328 2486 1925 16 |
* some values may vary with thickness
Product Properties of ACRYLITE® Stretched
| Property | Test Method | Unit | ACRYLITE® Stretched |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength |
ISO 527-2/1B/5; (ASTM D-638) |
MPa; (psi) | 80; (11,600) |
| Tensile Elongation |
ISO 527-2/1B/5; (ASTM D-638) |
% | 30 |
|
Resistance to Crack Propagation • At 23 °C • At 73 °F • At -17,8 °C • At 0 °F • After Weathering |
EN 2155-21 MIL-P-25690 EN 2155-21 MIL-P-25690 MIL-P-25690 |
N/mm3/2 (lbs./in3/2) N/mm3/2 (lbs./in3/2) lbs./in3/2 |
118 (3400) 56 (1600) 3350 |
| Shear Strength | MIL-P-25690 | psi | 4500 |
|
Thermal Relaxation At 110 °C (230 °F) At 145 °C (293 °F) |
EN 2155-22; (MIL-P-25690) EN 2155-22; (MIL-P-25690) |
% % |
5 42 |
|
Crazing Resistance Dry • Isopropyl alcohol • Lacquer thinner Wet • Isopropyl alcohol • Lacquer thinner |
MIL-P-25690 MIL-P-25690 MIL-P-25690 MIL-P-25690 |
psi psi psi psi |
3700 3350 3550 2850 |
FABRICATION
ACRYLITE® aviation grade sheet offers excellent optical characteristics, industry leading thickness tolerances, light stability, and low internal stress levels for consistent performance. ACRYLITE® acrylic sheet can be easily cut, sawed, machined, thermoformed and cemented. ACRYLITE® GS 249 prEN 4365 and Mil-P-8184 requires special two part solvents. Fabrication techniques used on standard cell cast acrylic sheet are appropriate for ACRYLITE® GMS and ACRYLITE® GMU sheet. When drape forming, excellent results can be achieved if the sheet is heated evenly between 300 °F and 320 °F. For pressure forming or vacuum forming operation, temperatures of 340 °F to 380 °F are recommended. Most fabrication techniques used with conventional acrylic sheet can also be followed when fabricating ACRYLITE® GS 249 sheet. Slight technique modification is required.
OVERAGES
All sheets are supplied net trim (no overage). Untrimmed sheets are available. No guarantee is given as to the additional area obtained by ordering untrimmed sheet. For information on custom thicknesses and sizes please contact our sales department.
EDGE PREPARATION
Edge preparation billets are available upon request.
COMPATIBILITY
Like other plastic materials, ACRYLITE® sheet is subject to crazing, cracking or discoloration if brought into contact with incompatible materials. These materials may include cleaners, polishes, adhesives, sealants, gasketing or packaging materials, cutting emulsions, etc. Contact your ACRYLITE® sheet distributor for information on a specific product.
