Light weighting is the new design concept used in many industries, especially aerospace applications and is associated with green aviation. The aerospace industry is continuously evolving, and there is a long-term trend toward adopting new, greener materials and solutions that reduce weight without compromising performance or service life. According to Reports on Propulsion and Research, an effective way to increase energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption is by reducing aircraft mass, as a lower mass requires less lift force and thrust during flight. In addition to reducing carbon footprint, flight performance improvements such as better acceleration, higher structural strength and stiffness, and better safety performance could also be achieved by lightweight design.

In line with the light-weighting design in the component industry, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has introduced Orkot® C620 material that pushes the boundaries of composite technology. It has been specifically designed and developed to meet the needs of the aerospace market, particularly for a strong and light material to withstand high loads and stresses over the long service life, making it ideal for landing gear.

Orkot® C620 is light in addition to being strong. The careful selection of ingredients within the material makes it versatile enough to be used across multiple elements of the aircraft, including landing gear, structural components, and applications within the interior. This allows standard metallic components within the aircraft to be replaced with Orkot® material, reducing weight and increasing fuel efficiency.

This high-specification material builds upon regular composite formulation by featuring a strong glass fibre backing alongside a low-friction Orkot® lining. The properties of the different layers increase load capacity and strength while reducing friction and wear to maximize efficiency and service life.