Method of sealing a joint

Abstract

A method of sealing a joint between components especially in an aircraft comprises the steps of identifying the sealing gap to be sealed; selecting a suitable sealing material having a fractional maximum sealing thickness and a fractional fully-compressed thickness and selecting a suitable thickness of that sealing material, based on a consideration of the fractional maximum sealing thickness and the fractional fully-compressed thickness of the sealing material and on the sealing gap; locating, between the mating surfaces of the components to be sealed, the suitable thickness of the suitable sealing material; and fastening the components together.

1 . A sealing material having regions of differing thickness for use in a joint, the regions of differing thickness being arranged such that the effective sealing range of the sealing material is greater than the effective sealing range of a sealing material having the same mean thickness and the same composition and having a uniform thickness. 
     
     
         2 . A sealing material as claimed in  claim 1  which is profiled or embossed on at least one surface. 
     
     
         3 . A sealing material as claimed in  claim 1  having a castellated profile. 
     
     
         4 . A sealing material as claimed in  claim 1  in which the sealing material comprises an at least partially-cured polysulphide sealant and a reinforcing element. 
     
     
         5 . A sealing material as claimed in  claim 1  which is suitable for use in an aircraft joint.