RuAviation

The Obninsk-based Research and Production Enterprise Technologiya has launched a new production site that will be used for ion-exchange strengthening of silicate glass used in the aviation industry for glazing the cockpits of civil aircrafts, the press service of Rostec State Corporation reported.

Multilayer glazing for aviation must have high strength in order to maintain its integrity in the event of a collision with birds. In this context, ion-exchange strengthening makes the silicate glass used in the composition 6-8 times stronger than conventional glass. This technology is applicable in cases when thermal hardening does not provide the necessary strength characteristics, as well as in the production of products with complex geometry or thin nominal values.

The ion exchange hardening process is based on replacing sodium ions with potassium ions in a special unit. Earlier these works were carried out at the subsidiary of NITS JSC, but the commissioning of the new site will allow to expand the production capabilities of Tekhnologiya. Andrei Silkin, General Director of the enterprise, noted that today the domestic industry faces an ambitious task to increase the production of civil aircraft, and co-operation between Rostec companies, including Tekhnologiya, plays an important role in achieving this goal.

The new production line is equipped with Russian equipment, which was emphasised by Rostec and noted the desire to develop domestic technologies and infrastructure in the aviation industry. Technologiya is a key supplier of materials and components for the domestic aeroplane and helicopter industry. In addition to aviation glazing, the company also produces aluminium and polymer honeycomb, sound-absorbing structures, lapped panels for advanced aircraft engines, as well as airframe structural elements and units.

The introduction of the new production site will enable Technologiya to meet the growing demand for frontal glazing for domestic aircrafts and ensure their serial production in the required volume. The capacity of the equipment will allow the company to fulfil its large-scale plans in the field of aircraft construction until 2030.