UV/EB Technology: A Sustainable Solution for the Needs of the Aerospace Industry

Ultraviolet (UV), Electron Beam (EB), and UV-LED, also known as energy curable technology, was developed in the late 1970’s during the gas and oil crisis to create a technology which consumed fewer petroleum resources. Energy curable technology has been, and continues to be, one of the most sustainable technologies used in manufacturing. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the aerospace industry where thin films are required to meet light weighting objectives without sacrificing performance. This presentation will examine several case studies where UV/EB curable technology enables innovative manufacturing processes that consume less energy yet meet or exceed air quality standards without requiring add-on pollution controls. The case studies demonstrate higher throughput efficiency, reduced waste and reduced CO2 emissions resulting in the recognition of this technology by several regulatory agencies as a clean process alternative. This means that more parts can be produced with less energy and lower environmental impact which translates to savings during the manufacturing process and energy savings during the operation life of the product.