AIRPLANES: ADVANCES IN ASSEMBLY TECHNIQUES (2) WELDING, PLASTIC CEMENTING, HERMETIC SEALING

In a discussion of aircraft assembly, the author points out that rivets are not only heavy but also impair the structural property of an aircraft because holes are punched in its walls. As a result, welding and gluing are finding wider application in aircraft assembly. Both techniques are described briefly and it is then observed that their only drawback is that the parts thus assembled usually need more extensive inspection. Finally, the author discusses the hermetic sealing technique. Hermetic seals are essential for high-altitude flying. Three types of seals are considered Surface seal, where the sealing material is applied to the whole surface of the assembled aircraft. Seam seal, where the sealing material is applied only between the joints of the plates and between the rivets, screws, etc. Compound seal, a combination of the first two types.