Thin-Film Sensors for Aerospace

Vacuum Coating Equipment & Technologies

Aerospace sensor tech­nology is central to naviga­tion, flight control, condi­tion moni­toring, and mission success. Sensors must operate reliably under extreme condi­tions — wide temperature ranges, severe vibration, high radiation, and corro­sive atmospheres — so appropriate mate­rials and surface treat­ments are critical.

Thin-film sensors are particularly suitable because they are lightweight, compact, and can be applied directly to component surfaces. By function they can be broadly classified as sensors for temperature moni­toring (including cryogenic condi­tions), pressure moni­toring (pneumatics, hydraulics, cabin pressure), structural moni­toring (struc­tural health moni­toring, detection of deforma­tion, stress, and material fatigue), flow and medium moni­toring, and gas and environmental moni­toring.

Applications include direct application to CFRP or metal structures for real-time structural moni­toring, high-temperature-stable thin-film thermo­couples and pressure sensors in engines, specialized sensors for cryogenic fuel tanks, and a wide range of avionics sensors. Characteristic features are strong miniatur­ization (typical film thicknesses 1–6 µm), high precision, and low weight for mass reduction.

Thin-film sensors are often custom-adapted to mate­rials, loads, and environmental condi­tions to maximize reliability and performance. Inte­grating PVD coatings into manufacturing increases sensor reliability and service life and enables functional surface properties: optical, electrical, and environmental resistance.

We supply the appropriate vacuum coating systems for these require­ments and offer you techno­logical support for sampling and scaling.