From launch to landing, labels play a critical role in aerospace projects, keeping them organized, on-track, and efficient. Consider that an Aircraft on Ground (AOG) can cost an airline up to $150,000 an hour. From cargo and commercial planes to high-tech rockets and satellites, aerospace products consist of millions of parts, each with unique needs—no single label works for every part. The best aerospace label is purpose-built. That is, they’re engineered to meet the requirements and demands of a specific application.
Questions to Ask When Choosing an Aerospace Label
With millions of parts, challenging surfaces, extreme temperatures, and the overriding requirement that it must not fail, selecting the best aerospace label for your application can feel daunting. Fortunately, asking the right questions can clarify which label best fits your needs.
What Surface Will the Label Adhere To?
Labels are applied to a broad spectrum of surfaces in the aerospace industry, from high-surface-energy metals (HSE) like stainless steel and titanium, which are easy to adhere to, to low-surface-energy (LSE) plastics like polypropylene and polyethylene, which are notoriously difficult to stick to. No matter how challenging the surface, adhesives—like the acrylic and rubber-based formulas commonly used in aerospace—must create a secure, long-lasting bond.
Up in the air about what adhesive is right for your aerospace application? Contact the Label Experts!
What Temperatures Will It Encounter?
The aerospace industry exposes labels to a broad spectrum of temperatures, and they must perform through it all. Consider:
- Temperatures near the International Space Station can range from 120°C (248°F) in direct sunlight to -160°C (-256°F) in the Earth’s shadow.
- Commercial airplanes often face temperatures over 38°C (100°F) on the tarmac and -58°F (50°C) while flying at altitude.
Extreme temperatures aren’t solely the result of environmental factors. For example, engines, exhaust, and electronics can also generate heat. Understanding an application’s temperature, along with its potential swings, is key to choosing the right aerospace label.
What Chemicals or Solvents Will It Contact?
Jet fuel. Oils. Hydraulic fluids. De-icing agents. Cleaning solvents. Aerospace labels are exposed to numerous harsh chemicals and solvents, which can negatively affect legibility and adhesion. Chemical-resistant labels are engineered to withstand the strongest chemicals and solvents, keeping operations flying high.
Will It Experience Abrasion?
Aerospace labels face physical wear from sources including vibration, maintenance, and handling—from personnel moving cargo to passenger traffic. The printing on labels—such as serial numbers, barcodes, and warnings—must remain legible for compliance and safety, while adhesive must resist peeling, edge lift, and total failure.
How Much UV Exposure Will It Face?
Depending on the application, aerospace labels can face intense solar radiation. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause fading and cracking, ultimately rendering a label illegible. UV-resistant labels are engineered to withstand prolonged UV exposure, keeping labels legible.
How Long Must It Remain Readable?
The lifecycle of aerospace parts varies significantly depending on factors ranging from application to stresses like the number of flights and pressurization cycles it experiences. For some parts like filters, seals, and hoses, the lifespan is relatively short, while components like the wings and fuselage are made to last the lifetime of the aircraft.
In the aerospace industry, where labels are vital to traceability, maintenance, safety, and compliance, labels must remain readable and securely attached for a product’s entire lifecycle—whether it’s a regularly replaced component or a permanent part.
Does It Need a 1D or 2D Barcode?
Both 1D and 2D barcodes figure prominently in the aerospace industry. Often the specific part and sector in which it will operate factor into what symbology to use. For example, in the airline industry, 1D barcodes like Code 39 and Code 128 are commonly used for part identification, while 2D QR codes are used extensively with customer-facing materials like boarding passes. NASA relies heavily on 2D DataMatrix barcodes. The defense industry uses a number of symbologies, from 1D Code 39 and Code 128 barcodes to 2D DataMatrix and PDF417.
Determining the best aerospace label for your application requires understanding what the label must communicate, where it will operate, and the industry conventions it must satisfy.
What Standard Must It Meet?
The aerospace industry is one of the world’s most regulated sectors. Many labels must meet specific regulations by conveying required identification, manufacturing, and safety information. Governing bodies include:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
- Department of Defense (DoD)
Regulations established by industry authorities help ensure labels maintain legibility and adhesion throughout their lives. Compliance with these standards is essential for airworthiness and safety.
Does It Need to Be Removable or Permanent?
Although many aerospace labels demand permanent adhesion, that’s not the case for every label. For example, removal is regularly part of the lifecycle of labels used to secure hatches and doors, equipment panels, and catering carts. Similarly, labels used inside commercial planes are often updated as branding evolves, operations shift, and regulations change.
What Happens If the Label Fails?
Failure in the aerospace industry isn’t an option—from massive fuselages on today’s behemoth cargo planes to the tiniest wire labels, everything has to do its job. A label failing can create a host of issues, including:
- Lost identification
- Traceability gaps
- Maintenance delays
- Grounded flights
- Rework
- Miscommunication
- Failed audits
- Compliance issues
Labels are the wind beneath the aerospace industry’s wings, delivering safety and compliance, while avoiding unnecessary risk and cost.
Electronic Imaging Materials, Inc. (EIM)
If you’re not sure exactly what you need in a label, contact the Label Experts at EIM. EIM prides itself on its low-turbulence customer service. No annoying chatbots. No unhelpful auto replies. No frustrating phone trees. No autopilot. Just a Label Expert, out-of-this-world expertise, and industry-leading labels.
