Aircraft MRO erosion solutions

Over time, rain, sand, small particulates, and even strong wind can gradually break down the leading edge of an aircraft wing or rotor blade by wearing away outer layers of coatings and surfaces, causing significant damage and repair events.

Upshot of the bottom of a plane and its landing gear.
Enhance erosion protection

Did you know?

According to University of Dayton Research Institute at Wright‑Patterson Air Force Base, flying through the rain at 500 mph for just 11 minutes can wear away a layer of 12 mil paint and clear coating.*


  • Rolls of 3M™ Polyurethane Protective Tape 8673 and 3M™ Polyurethane Protective Tape 8681HS.

    Up to 5X longer lasting than industry-standard paint and coating

    • Operators and third‑party MROs spend a lot of time repairing, and in some cases replacing, parts affected by erosion, resulting in increased material and labour expenses. How can 3M help?
       

      • Help reduce both the rate and extent of erosion and foreign object debris (FOD) damage
    • 3M™ Polyurethane Protective Tape 8673

    • 3M™ Polyurethane Protective Tape 8681HS

    • Note: Products to be used on civil aircraft are intended to be sold under an OEM specification or FAA PMA.

  • Helicopter in the air.
    Leading edge protection

    Enhance protection for the harshest environments for applications like rotor blades, leading edge wing and tail, light lens boots, antenna protection, and vertical stabilisers.

  • Person inspecting an aircraft radome.
    Radome protection

    Durable, impact-resistant, backed by a high-strength adhesive and thermoformed for a precise fit over radomes and other aircraft surfaces, 3M™ Polyurethane Protective Boots protect against erosion caused by rain and particulates. Our aircraft boots protect with a minimal reduction in transmissivity and are available in a range of colours and finishes. Read more in our brochure.


Resources

Please ensure products meet all applicable specifications, standards, and maintenance manual requirements for the platform being worked on and validate all aircraft approvals against current technical documentation.

*Rain erosion test data (PDF, 1,035 KB)


Our aircraft solutions do not stop at MRO

At 3M, commitment to the aerospace industry begins where the aircraft begins. To learn more about how 3M supports aircraft OEMs and Tier suppliers, visit the 3M Aerospace website.


Need help finding the right solution?

3M is constantly working to meet the evolving challenges of aerospace industry professionals worldwide. If you need help finding an existing solution or would like to talk about specific ideas you are working on, get in touch with us, or find a distributor.