I need info. on Speed Tape? 2

[thelonius3]

Please share your insight on the best brands/specs of tape to use on the vertical fin during high speed commercial/military airliner tests?

 

[BrianR]

There is a lot you havent said here, like is this leading edge protection or what. Assuming it is then does the leading edge contain an antenna.

My experience is principally with fast military aircraft and often nothing but 2-part epoxy paint is used, even on mach-2 aircraft. However if extra protection is sought against ice/rain/dust erosion then there are a number of ablative tapes made by Goodyear, 3M and others. Look for MIL SPECs for anti-erosion tapes on Assist at

http://astimage.daps.dla.mil/

is useful.

Where the leading edge contains an antenna a composite fairing is used covered by epoxy paint or neoprene, sometimes with an ablative tape covering. Both the paint and tape must have a low dielectric loss tangent or the antenna performance will be adversely affected, so for example, don't use a material loaded with metal powder, graphite or carbon. Mostly though, epoxy paint is good.

 

[davidjh]

Look into "Permacel Co" "P-11" aluminum tape. Co has a website. Said tape is used as "speed tape" by a So Cal located large airframe manufacturer.

 

[FourJawChuck]

Aerospatiale helicopters use a root cover made of vinyl that is applied by softening with MEK and then rolling it onto the polyurethane paint to prevent air bubbles.