The heavy tungsten alloy is ideal for the production of balancing and ballast weights for use on an airplane. This is due to its extremely high density, which allows the smallest possible weights to be used. This attribute can be particularly useful in situations where a mass must be contained within a confined space and can ultimately reduce the overall amount of weight used as it can be positioned more favorably.

Balancing weights

The balance of control surfaces such as ailerons, rudders and stabilizers and the reduction of vibrations in the propellers and rotor blades are fundamental for flight performance, safety and long-term reliable service.

Flight controls

Heavy tungsten alloy weights offer designers the maximum surface available for control, while avoiding vibrations and dynamic instability. When balancing individual parts such as flight controls, the use of smaller heavy tungsten alloy components can lead to a reduction in the overall weight of an aircraft.

Rotor and propeller blades

Without proper balancing, the operation of the rotor blades and propellers can cause excessive vibrations through other parts, degrading flight qualities and possibly reducing component life. Each element of an aircraft benefits from low vibration levels, so it is essential to ensure that a rotor or propeller is correctly balanced, both statically and dynamically, to improve safety, comfort and reliability. Tungsten alloy balancing weights can be produced based on a wide range of customer requirements that meet the latest industry standards.

Ballast

The tungsten alloy is ideal for aircraft ballast applications where precise positioning of the extra weight is required. Since the ballast can be a removable or permanently installed weight, it can be used to simulate aircraft loading or to bring the center of gravity within the allowed range.

Ballast for flight tests

The load, or weight, and balance of an aircraft is one of the most important elements in flight testing since it affects both performance and stability. By using tungsten alloy as ballast during flight tests, it is possible to simulate different payloads and small compact weights to be placed in precise positions.

Ballast due to center of gravity limits

The center of gravity of an aircraft must be within an acceptable range to ensure that it can maintain level flight and is even more critical for helicopters than for fixed-wing aircraft, since an incorrect balance of helicopter load can lead to serious control problems. The use of tungsten alloy as ballast allows for smaller and lighter components to be placed in areas where space is limited, such as the nose or tail. This brings the center of gravity within the limits simultaneously to reduce the overall weight of the aircraft.