Alcoa Fastening Systems (AFS) is pleased to announce the successful qualification of its RFKA9900-13 (SAE AS5550) flareless, plug-in union, Ring Locked fitting series for use on the 787 Dreamliner. This high-pressure titanium hydraulic adapter was selected by Boeing for its lightweight construction and dual seal protection, providing up to 49% weight savings over the previous design for this application. Each aircraft is expected to employ over 120 of these parts.

"This fitting is designed with a 20º metal-to-metal seal, which is the primary seal between the fitting and mating port, and also incorporates an elastomeric o-ring that acts as a secondary or back-up seal", stated Doug Pyle, AFS' Product Management Manager for North America. "The design provides a very desirable, leak-proof, separable port-to-tube connection."

Alcoa Fastening Systems, a business unit of Alcoa, is a leading worldwide designer and manufacturer of fastening systems, specialty fasteners, components, and installation systems for aerospace and commercial product assembly. Headquartered in Torrance, California, the company has 6,000 employees, and manufactures at 26 locations in 7 countries.