Kamatics Extends Helicopter Gearbox Life With Custom Molded Anti-Wear Composites (P-54)

Kamatics Corporation, a Kaman business, is introducing new P-54 contoured, anti-wear components for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of legacy helicopter gearboxes.

P-54 is a unique composite that can be adhered to substrates where the surface is prone to abrasion, fretting wear, impact damage or other harsh environmental conditions. P-54 is utilized on defense and commercial aerospace platforms and is certified by many original equipment manufacturers and systems integrators for new production and MRO. Kamatics developed P-54 to withstand harsh environments and meet stringent requirements on the airframe or within the power system.

Kamatics’ most recent innovation utilizing P-54 incorporates custom, pre-molded shapes to fit precisely in key locations on the exterior of rotorcraft gearboxes. This prevents the fretting wear typically experienced during service and extends the life of the gearbox. Kamatics is able to model the target components’ complex geometry, fabricate precise tooling, and complete production parts all within a few weeks.

“We developed P-54 to withstand the extreme conditions experienced on helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, naval ships and in other harsh industrial environments,” said Mathew Mormino, vice president of engineering and quality at Kaman Specialty Bearings & Engineered Products. “We are constantly developing new formulations and end applications to meet and exceed our customers’ evolving requirements. And our molded P-54 capability opens up many new locations where we can extend the life of products to help our customers save money.”