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Precision rubber components being molded at Harkesh Rubber's facility

Case study · Aerospace & Defense

NBR diaphragm requalified for a fighter-jet program

A specialist in engineered thermal solutions for Aerospace & Defense needed a qualified Joint Strike Fighter diaphragm re-sourced fast — from incomplete data.

  • IndustryAerospace & Defense
  • ComponentRubber diaphragm
  • MaterialHigh-elongation NBR
  • RegionUnited States

Overview

The client had a qualified diaphragm for the Joint Strike Fighter program but could no longer source it from their existing supplier. They needed a new qualified manufacturer to replicate the development in a short lead time.

Working from incomplete formulation details, Harkesh developed a special high-elongation NBR diaphragm and qualified it in the very first attempt — helping the client secure a high-value government contract.

1stattempt qualified
High-valuegovernment contract secured
Shortlead time to requalification

Key outcome:

Despite an incomplete technical package on a flight-critical defence part, the Harkesh diaphragm was tested and qualified in the very first attempt.

The challenge

Requalify a flight-critical diaphragm — from incomplete specs

The client had a qualified diaphragm for the Joint Strike Fighter program but were unable to source the parts from their existing supplier. They needed a new qualified diaphragm manufacturer to step in and replicate the development in a short lead time.

Because it was part of a government program, requalification had to meet exacting standards — and any delay risked stalling downstream production commitments.

Our approach

Reverse-engineer the compound, hold defence-grade discipline

As the development was part of a government program, we obtained the formulation details from the client's vendor. The information, however, was incomplete.

Drawing on our previous expertise with critical developments, we successfully developed a special high-elongation NBR diaphragm for this demanding requirement — carried out with the discipline expected of a flight-critical, defence-grade component.

The results

Qualified first time — contract secured

First time right

Qualified first attempt

The parts were tested and qualified in the very first attempt, with no rework cycles.

Trusted partner

High-value contract won

A critical development with high stakes — our quick turnaround helped the client secure the government fighter-jet contract.

Our successful development in a short lead time helped our client secure this high-value government contract for the fighter jets, and positioned Harkesh as a dependable partner for future critical defence work.

Materials & application

Where this part fits

Application details

  • Flight-critical diaphragm for a fighter-jet thermal system
  • Defence / Joint Strike Fighter program part
  • Requalification of a previously approved component
  • High-elongation NBR formulation

At a glance

Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Program
Joint Strike Fighter
Material
High-elongation NBR
Component
Rubber diaphragm
Qualification
First attempt

Questions, answered

Frequently asked

We obtained the partial formulation details available from the client's vendor and, drawing on our experience with critical developments, reverse-engineered the missing parameters to create a special high-elongation NBR compound that met the diaphragm's requirements.

The diaphragm has to flex repeatedly without cracking. A special high-elongation nitrile (NBR) formulation gives the stretch and fatigue resistance the flight-critical application demands.

Yes. We have delivered qualified parts for critical defence developments, including Joint Strike Fighter program work, with the confidentiality and discipline such programs require.

Get In Touch contact section

Get In Touch

Address

Mumbai Office: Harkesh Rubber LLP, 108, Adarsh Industrial Estate, Sahar Road, Chakala, Andheri (East), Mumbai 400099

General Enquiries

contact@harkeshrubber.com

Business Phone

+91-22-40060400

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