Park Electrochemical, a worldwide advanced materials company, has released a new name for its composite strut design, SIGMA STRUT. The design offers considerable weight savings when compared to other composite struts and metal struts.
A strut is a load carrying component, which transfers load from one point to another. SIGMA STRUT uses a unique metal end-fitting, which is cured without using adhesives. This enables the fittings to carry the entire load of the strut without depending on bonded areas as in the case of standard designs.
SIGMA STRUT’s lightweight designs are qualified for applications in several programs, including the Max Launch Abort System (MLAS) program of NASA, NASA Space Shuttle Orbiters and the Kistler Aerospace K-1 launch vehicle. The design has been selected based on its ability to address the needs of all the programs. SIGMA STRUT has also been tested by NASA as a part of its effort to choose one design for multiple NASA programs.
Park Electrochemical is a developer and manufacturer of high-technology RF/microwave and digital printed circuit materials for the telecommunications and high-end computing markets, as well as advanced composite materials, assemblies and components for the aerospace market. The Company possesses key capabilities in the areas of coating technology and polymer chemistry formulation. It operates manufacturing units in the U.S., France, China and Singapore.