Jaco Aerospace has provided aircraft seals made from rubber, fabric and Teflon-coated materials based upon the requirements of many of the world's top aircraft and drone manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, Textron Aviation, Bell, Sikorsky, Dassault, Pilatus, General Atomics, AeroVironment and others that manufacture commercial, military, business aviation, rotorcraft and drones. Jaco Aerospace works directly with some of the best seal manufacturers in the industry to provide both standard profile seals and custom-designed seals for use during the manufacturing process, MRO, line maintenance and overhaul.
Why Aircraft Seals Matter
Throughout an aircraft, seals are used to maintain cabin pressure, keep water and debris out, contain fire, reduce electrical interference and smooth airflow over the airframe. Seals are installed around openings, joints and gaps throughout an aircraft. Temperature changes, fluid exposure and repeated use can cause seals to harden, crack or lose their shape. A flattened door seal may no longer hold pressure evenly. A hardened firewall seal may no longer contain heat and flame. The right material and timely replacement help keep seals working as intended.
Seal Types and Applications
We supply seals used on the airframes, engines, and interiors of fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS):
Door, Hatch, Window and Port Seals
All openings in the fuselage are sealed with either pressure or environmental seals.
Flight Control Surface and Gap Seals
These aerodynamic seals provide smooth surfaces on all control surfaces and panels which will minimize drag.
Firewall and Extreme Heat Seals
Materials designed to withstand high temperatures are used in areas where there is an ongoing exposure to extreme heat such as the firewall and engine compartment.
EMI/Conductive/RAM Seals
These electrically conductive and/or radar absorbent seals are utilized to shield components from electromagnetic interference; ground components; and/or minimize radar signatures.
Electrical Continuation Seals
These seals maintain electrical continuity across joints and access panels.
Thermal Seals
Insulative construction seals are utilized to insulate against thermal transfer; conductive construction seals are utilized to facilitate thermal transfer.
Vibration and Noise Control Seals
Dampening materials are utilized to reduce cabin noise levels; and/or isolate vibrations.
Fiberglass Composite Seals & Extrusions
Profiles made from fiberglass composites and/or extruded profiles are utilized for structural and compartment sealing.
Air Transport/Compartment Seals
Cargo compartment joints/bay seals/interior partition seals.
Mil-Spec Seals
Seals manufactured to meet military specifications for use in defense/government programs.
How Aircraft Seals Work
Most aircraft seals function through compression. When a door is closed or a panel is fastened, the seal is compressed between two surfaces and fills the space created by those two surfaces. Many door seals are also pressure-assisted. As the aircraft gains altitude, the differential in pressure between the cabin and the exterior environment forces the seal further into the space created by the two surfaces.
- Bulb Seals
- P-Shaped Seals
- D-Shaped Seals
- Lip Seals
Bulb, P-shaped, D-shaped and lip seals each compress differently. The seal profile depends on the gap, the closing force and how much movement occurs at that location. The right fit helps maintain pressure and keep moisture out without making doors or panels difficult to operate.
Materials and Construction
Seal performance is dependent upon both the core material and the covering material. Jaco Aerospace provides seals with a variety of rubber compound cores, fabric-reinforced constructions, and Teflon-covered designs.
| Material |
Why It's Used |
| Silicone |
Excellent flexibility across a broad temperature spectrum (-65°C to +200°C), including both cold soak at high altitude and heat near engines. |
| Fluorosilicone |
In addition to flexibility, provides additional protection against fuels and oils. |
| Nitrile and Fluorocarbon |
Typically used for seals contacting fuels, hydraulic fluids, or lubricants. |
| Fabric-Reinforced |
Provides strength to withstand deflection and tear, especially important on doors and panels that open frequently. |
| Teflon-Covered |
Reduces friction when the seal moves relative to another part, such as a control surface or sliding door, and minimizes wear after many thousands of uses. |
Seals for Every Type of Aircraft
Not all aircraft are the same.
Military Aircraft
Military aircraft may use radar-absorbing seals, EMI, or conductive seals for signature control and shielding.
Commercial Aircraft
Commercial aircraft seals help maintain cabin pressure over repeated flights and protect cargo compartments from fire and smoke.
Custom and Engineered Seals
While standard profiles provide solutions for many applications, some applications require a seal engineered specifically for a particular component. Jaco Aerospace supplies custom seals, including complex geometry based on OEM drawings for manned aircraft/unmanned systems.
Quality and Certification
- Only new, non-surplus materials
- A Certificate of Conformance with each order
- Certification documents from manufacturers
- Complete traceability
This provides inspectors and quality assurance personnel with the necessary documentation at the time of delivery.
Aircraft Seals from Jaco Aerospace
Founded in 1971, Jaco Aerospace has over fifty years of experience supplying aircraft seals/aviation parts to airlines, MROs, OEMs, drone manufacturers, military operators, government agencies, and private aircraft owners. We give priority to AOG orders and deliver worldwide. Visit our website to locate the aircraft seals needed for your application or submit a quote request, and our staff will assist you in finding the correct seal.