Why Aircraft Sleeving Matters
An aircraft contains thousands of feet of wire, hose, tube, and cable routed through confined areas behind panels, under floorboards, and inside engine nacelles. Replacing any one of these items would be extremely costly and time-consuming due to how far back they go. In addition, each time an airplane takes off, vibrations, temperature changes, fluids, and contact with other parts of the plane put all of this equipment at risk of damage. As a result, when a wire bundle rubs against a bracket or the edge of a panel over time, it can wear down the insulating material around the wire. Once this happens, you can't tell where the problem started until you have taken apart enough of the airplane to find it. This could take anywhere from several hours to multiple days, depending upon how much damage was done.
Sleeving protects wires, hoses, and cables by adding another layer around them so they don't wear down or get damaged by abrasion, high temperatures, or chemicals. Sleeving is much less expensive than hiring someone to locate and fix a broken harness. Sleeving also helps keep wire bundles organized. Grouping wires into one sleeve makes routing easier, simplifies identifying individual wires, and gives maintenance personnel a better-looking harness to work with during inspections and repairs.
Types of Sleeving Available for Purchase From Jaco Aerospace
We provide an extensive selection of aircraft sleeving products for use on commercial, military, business aviation, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft:
Nomex Sleeving
Fire-retardant and suitable for high-temperature environments such as engines and other high-heat applications.
PET Braided Sleeving
Expandable and will not fray; it provides general wire harness protection.
Vinyl-Coated Fiberglass Sleeving
Offers good thermal stability and additional electrical insulation.
Multi-Layer Copper Braid
Conductive and provides both EMI/RFI shielding and grounding.
Nylon Filament Sleeving
Nylon filament sleeving is durable, flexible, and offers excellent abrasion resistance.
Nomex Sleeving
Nomex is a fire-resistant aramid fiber used extensively in the aerospace industry for its ability to withstand extreme heat and deliver long-lasting performance. Nomex sleeves are frequently used as an effective method of protecting wires and hoses located in engine rooms, close to exhaust systems, and other locations where there is a potential for excessive amounts of heat.
Some of the main benefits of using Nomex sleeves include:
- Fire Retardant & Non-Conductive: Provides protection against both flames and electrical currents to wiring and other adjacent parts.
- Fuel- and Weather-Resistant: Withstands exposure to fuels, water, and harsh environmental conditions.
- Abrasion-Resistant: Lasts longer because it resists damage from vibrations and rubbing against other objects.
- Color-Stable up to 600 Degrees Fahrenheit: Maintains its appearance (color) even at very high temperatures.
- Porous & Breathable: Allows airflow through the bundle while releasing moisture.
- Expandable: Accommodates bundles ranging from 0 to 1/2 inch in diameter.
PET Braided Sleeving
PET (polyester) braid sleeve is probably the most common type of sleeve material used in aircraft wire harnesses. When you push on this kind of sleeve, it opens up and will go over your connector. Once it's over the connector, it closes and fits tightly against the wires inside. Because of its frayed-end resistance, it keeps your cut ends looking nice. PET sleeves are lightweight and highly flexible. They can withstand a wide variety of chemicals and solvents. In addition to providing good abrasion protection for wires in cabins, avionics bays, cargo compartments, etc., they are ideal for unmanned aircraft because every additional pound reduces how far an aircraft can fly and what it can lift.
Vinyl-Coated Fiberglass Sleeving
Vinyl-coated fiberglass sleeves consist of a braided fiberglass core covered with a vinyl coating. The fiberglass part of the sleeve can handle high temperatures better than PET, and the vinyl coating gives the sleeve electrical insulation as well as moisture, oil, and solvent resistance. These types of sleeves are typically found near heat sources, in electrical boxes and on parts that require both thermal and dielectric protection.
Multi-Layer Copper Braid
Copper braid sleeves protect wires from electromagnetic interference (EMI). All aircraft have some form of radio, radar, navigation system, or other piece of equipment that generates or picks up electrical noise. By putting a conductive copper braid around a group of wires, you create a barrier to prevent EMI from getting into and out of the group of wires and provide a way to connect them to ground. Using multiple layers of copper braiding improves the ability to shield sensitive signals and data lines. Copper braid is commonly used on avionics wiring, military aircraft systems and unmanned aircraft that contain sensitive sensors/communication equipment.
Nylon Filament Sleeving
Nylon filament sleeves offer superior abrasion-resistance while maintaining good flexibility. They work well with hoses and cables that will be moving and flexing while operating; examples would include hoses and cables located in landing gear areas and wheel wells around flight control components. Since nylon is resistant to many different oils and fuels, it provides extra protection in areas where fluids may come in contact with the hose and cable.
Factors in Selecting Aircraft Sleeving
Aircraft sleeving selection depends on the environment and the protection required. Some common considerations when selecting aircraft sleeving are:
Temperature
The operating temperature at the installation point is typically the primary consideration. Fiberglass and Nomex can handle extreme heat environments.
PET and nylon are appropriate for moderate-temperature applications.
Abrasion Exposure
When there is significant vibration or contact with structural components, abrasion-resistant sleeving should be selected.
Electrical Requirements
Conductive copper braid is utilized in applications requiring EMI shielding & grounding, while non-conductive Nomex, PET, and coated fiberglass are used for electrical isolation.
Fluid Exposure
Exposure to fluids such as fuel, hydraulic fluid, oil and/or de-icing fluid will also influence the selection process.
Braided Sleeving Products
View All Braided Sleeving Products
| General Purpose Braided Sleeving Products |
| PET Colored Braided Sleeving |
| Flame Retardant PET Braided Sleeving |
| Nylon Monofilament Braided Sleeving |
| Fray Resistant PET Braided Sleeving |
| Fray Resistant Flame Retardant PET Braided Sleeving |
| Medium Duty PET Braided Sleeving |
| Fiberglass Braided Sleeving (300V to 30KV insulation) |
| Heat Treated Fiberglass Sleeving (240°C, 300–600V) |
| Fray Resistant Fiberglass Sleeving (240°C, 300–600V) |
| Acrylic Coated Fiberglass Sleeving (155°C, 7000V) |
| Vinyl Coated Fiberglass Sleeving (130°C, 7000V) |
| Flame Retardant Silicone Coated Sleeving (200°C, 7000V) |
| High Voltage Silicone Braided Sleeving (200°C, 10KV–30KV) |
| Heavy Duty and High Temperature Braided Sleeving Products |
| Halar Braided Sleeving (150°C, Plenum Rated) |
| Nylon Multifilament Braided Sleeving |
| Tinned Copper Tubular Braid |
| Tinned Copper Flat Braid |
| Multi-Layer Copper Braid |
| Silver Plated Tubular Braid |
| Silver Plated Tubular Braid |
| Silver Plated Flat Braid |
| Stainless Steel Tubular Braid |
| Nickel Plated Tubular Braid |
| Nickel Plated Flat Braid |
Applications Across the Aircraft
Aircraft sleeving is utilized across many parts of an airplane, including the engine nacelle and auxiliary power unit compartment, where it protects wires and hoses from heat generated by engines. Abrasion-resistant sleeving is required in wheel well and landing gear areas due to the amount of dirt, moisture, and motion these areas experience. Shielding braids are needed in avionics bay areas to protect electronic equipment. Lightweight sleeving routes and secures wire bundles in cabin and cargo compartments behind paneling and under flooring. Jaco Aerospace provides all types of aircraft sleeving products for aircraft manufacture, maintenance, repair & operations (MRO), line maintenance, and overhauls. Its customers include commercial airlines; independent MRO providers; original equipment manufacturers (OEMs); drone manufacturers; military organizations; government entities; and individual aircraft owners.
Quality and Certification
- Only new and non-surplus materials
- A Certificate of Conformance with each order
- Manufacturer certification documents
- Complete traceability
This provides inspectors and quality assurance personnel with the necessary documentation at delivery.
Aircraft Sleeving from Jaco Aerospace
Founded in 1971, Jaco Aerospace has over fifty years of experience supplying aircraft sleeving/aviation parts to airlines, MROs, OEMs, drone manufacturers, military operators, government agencies, and private aircraft owners. We prioritize AOG orders and deliver worldwide. Visit our website to find the aircraft sleeving you need for your application or submit a quote request, and our staff will help you find the right product.