I thought the new composite patch kits were just overpriced hype

Our shop got a sample of the AeroBond 300 series for testing last month. I figured it was just fancy glue for twice the price, especially for small skin repairs. My boss had me use it on a minor crack in a Cessna 172's wingtip fairing, a job I'd normally do with a standard two-part epoxy and a doubler. The prep was different, needing a specific surface primer, and the cure time was longer. But after it set, the flex test results were way better than our usual fix. The bond line was nearly invisible and held up under stress simulation we ran. It's not for everything, but for certain composite parts, it actually seems worth the extra cost and steps. Anyone else tried these new kits on actual airframes yet?

3 comments

3 Comments

tylerj2223d ago

Has anyone looked into the shelf life after you open the kit? I heard the primer goes bad fast once it's exposed to air, which could be a real money pit for a small shop if you don't use it all at once.

janarivera23d ago

We got burned by that last year with a different brand. Opened a quart of primer and it was thick as mud in under two months. Now I write the open date right on the can with a paint marker. For most of the two-part stuff we use, you get about 6 weeks once you mix the primer. We started buying the smaller kits for jobs that aren't huge. It costs a bit more per job but way less waste.

coleman.gray23d ago

Yeah, the part about the bond line being nearly invisible really stands out. I read a tech brief last week that said these new formulas are way better at matching the flex of the original material, so you don't get those stress points. It makes sense that the prep is more involved, but if it stops a crack from coming back, maybe the extra time is worth it. I'm still a little skeptical on the cost for everyday stuff, but your test results are pretty convincing.