Lufthansa Technik's clear varnish system introduced into the VIP-completion market

Lufthansa Technik has successfully introduced its “Environmentally
friendly varnished veneer surfaces” (ULF) research and development
project into the VIP completion market. Over the past months
Lufthansa Technik has used the new varnish in the completion process
of a VIP-widebody aircraft for the first time.

From January 2010 to February 2013, Lufthansa Technik had developed
the new varnish system that not only meets fire protection, health
and environmental requirements, but satisfies high quality standards
as well. In the new product the proportion of solvent has been
reduced from 60 percent to 20 without any adverse effect on
processing quality.

The result of the project, which was funded by the Federal Ministry
of Economics and Technology, satisfies the latest EU directives on
the protection of humans and the environment. Additionally, thanks to
a chemical reaction triggered by ultraviolet light, the varnish
hardens more quickly so that the subsequent grinding process can
begin earlier.

Dr. Mathias Nolte, ULF project manager at Lufthansa Technik’s VIP &
Executive Jet Solutions Division, said: “Lufthansa Technik has gained
a lot of expertise in the area of new varnishing and processing
technologies, especially for our VIP business. By using this globally
unique varnish, for which we have already filed a patent application,
we are meeting our high aspirations as regards time and cost
efficiency, employee protection, quality and official safety
requirements in full.”

Like all the other materials used in aircraft construction, the
high-gloss polished wooden surfaces that are typically installed in
VIP cabins have to meet safety standards from the aviation
authorities. For optical purposes and to comply with fire protection
regulations, these surfaces have to be treated with effective flame
retardants and clear varnishes containing a high proportion of
organic solvents. To achieve the desired quality, up to ten coats of
clear varnish plus a final special top coat are applied to the wooden
decorative surfaces.