Approved For Use: GORE™ SKYFLEX™ Aerospace Materials Wing Gaskets For F-16

"These gaskets deliver consistent, reliable sealing in demanding operational environments, providing the same high-performance characteristics of GORE™ SKYFLEX™ Aerospace Gaskets already used on the F-16," said Ross Livington, Gore Product Specialist. "The GORE™ SKYFLEX™ Aerospace Materials Team is aggressively working to develop additional gaskets in its effort to improve aircraft availability."

GORE™ SKYFLEX™ Aerospace Materials effectively seal panels and protect against mechanical forces and harsh environments that can damage aircraft structures, such as vibration, corrosion, high temperatures, aggressive fluids, UV radiation, and other environmental hazards that tend to break down and weaken traditional materials. Unlike traditional two-component sealants, the materials are lightweight and non-curing, and they simplify the process by reducing installation steps. GORE™ SKYFLEX™ Aerospace Materials are available in a variety of form-in-place (FIP) tapes and die-cut gaskets in various sizes.

GORE™ SKYFLEX™ Aerospace Materials are approved for use in the following F-16 Technical Orders:

• TO 1-1-691: Aircraft Weapons System Cleaning and Corrosion Control
• 1F-16C-2-00GV-00-1: General Vehicle Organizational Maintenance
• 1F-16CJ-4-28: Illustrated Parts Breakdown, Fuel Systems
• 6J14-2-39-2: 370-Gallon External Fuel Tank

For gasket use on the F-16 wing access panels, the interim approval guidance presented in the Maintenance Awareness Message is sufficient authorization for procurement and use until the appropriate technical order publications are updated.

For more information regarding GORE™ SKYFLEX™ Aerospace Materials gaskets and sealant tapes approved for the F-16, download the F-16 Application Guide.

Further information about GORE™ SKYFLEX™ Aerospace Materials can be found at https://www.gore.com/skyflex

About Gore

W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Founded in 1958, Gore has built a reputation for solving complex technical challenges in the most demanding environments — from revolutionizing the outerwear industry with GORE-TEX® fabric to creating medical devices that improve and save lives to enabling new levels of performance in the aerospace, pharmaceutical and mobile electronics markets, among other industries. The company is also known for its strong, team-oriented culture and continued recognition from the Great Place to Work® Institute. Headquartered in Newark, Del., Gore employs approximately 9,500 Associates and generates annual revenues that exceed $3 billion. www.gore.com  

Performance Solutions Division

Gore Performance Solutions Division develops products and technologies that address complex product and process challenges in a variety of markets and industries, including aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, mobile electronics, oil and gas — and more. Through close collaboration with industry leaders across the globe, Gore enables customers to design their products and processes to be safer, cleaner, more productive, reliable, durable and efficient across a wide range of demanding environments.

GORE, GORE-TEX, SKYFLEX and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates.

SOURCE W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.