Case Study #1: Coatings for Electrical Bonding Points

Aircraft structures contain numerous electrical bonding points. These are used to ground static electricity from non-metallic components such as radomes, provide an earth path for lightning strikes, and a current return path for electricity.* They’re essential for electrical safety and must be preserved in good condition.

Protection is Required From:

• Degradation due to corrosive environments
• Sparking and flashover
• Damp and moisture ingress
• Service chemicals such as battery acid, fuels, deicers, etc.

How Nycote’s Products Preserve Electrical Bonding Points

Nycote products provide an excellent permanent barrier from harsh environments and can be used to coat and encapsulate bonding points. Nycote 7-11, Nycote 88, and 99 EcoShield all deliver a thin, flexible conformal layer that prevents ingress of corrosive elements. Both products are approved and used by major aerospace companies for this application.

The combination of Nylon and Epoxy provides a thin barrier which adheres to the many different materials used on electrical bonding points.

Nycote forms a pinhole free film and therefore allows no pathways for electricity to escape. Nycote products are available in a range of colors for easy identification and will break if the point is unfastened, providing an indication that interference has occurred. Application of Nycote is easy with a small paintbrush avoiding removal of the assembly from its location.

*See FAA Advisory Circulars AC 25.899-1, AC 25.954-1

Electrical Bonding Point Pictures

• Fig 1: electrical bonding point encapsulated in Nycote 7-11 Blue. 
• Fig 2: bonding point set up from FAA AC 43-206.

• Fig. 3: corroded bonding strap and connection from FAA AC 43-206.
• Fig. 4: drawing call out for Nycote 7-11 for floor bonding point.