Compressed air is used in aerospace to fasten airframes, cure composites, cool avionics, and perform other functions. But when your business and safety depend on air quality, that compressed air better be perfect. Clean. Compliant. Oil-free.
Zero tolerance for failure means zero tolerance for non-optimal components. Your compressed air is a mission-critical part of your manufacturing and maintenance operations. It directly affects component quality, safety, and schedule.
Why Air Purity is Non-Negotiable in Aerospace
Aerospace customers buy quality compliance, system uptime, and peace of mind. A compressed air system is a quality-critical process, subject to industry standards such as AS9100D and PSSR 2000. Mistakes cost components, rework, and safety.
Air compression concentrates contaminants from the atmosphere. For aerospace, the primary threats are:
- Solid Particles – Cause valve blockages and coating defects
- Water – Leads to corrosion, tool failure, and freezing at altitude
- Oil – Destroys composite bonds and paint adhesion
Meeting Aerospace Quality Standards: ISO 8573-1 and AS9100D
ISO 8573-1 is used in the aerospace industry to classify air purity. Class 0 is the only standard acceptable for the most critical applications for oil.
Class 0 certified compressors provide 100% oil-free air and remove the largest source of oil contamination. There is no risk of a catastrophic filtration failure. Class 0 is an AS9100D requirement, so regular ISO 8573-1 air quality testing is critical to compliance.
Key Applications & Their Air Quality Requirements
Different operations demand specific levels of air purity. A tailored system is the only way to ensure performance without wasting energy.
| Application | Contaminants to Control | Recommended ISO 8573-1 Class |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Painting & Finishing | Oil, Water, Particles | [1:2:1] |
| Pneumatic Tools & Assembly | Water, Particles | [2:4:2] |
| Avionics Cooling | Water, Particles | [1:2:1] |
| Composite Curing (Autoclave) | Oil | Class 0 |
| Engine Testing & Cleaning | Oil, Water | [1:2:1] |
| Breathing Air (RPE) | CO, CO₂, Oil | BS EN 12021 |
Airframe Manufacturing and Assembly
- Pneumatic Tools: To prevent corrosion and seizure, tools need consistent, reliable air meeting ISO Class [2:4:2].
- Surface Finishing and Painting: For a flawless finish, you need uncompromisingly pure air meeting ISO Class [1:2:1]. This requires a desiccant dryer to achieve a -40°C pressure dew point.
- Composite Curing: If you're running autoclaves, the feed air for pressurisation must be ISO 8573-1 Class 0 for total oil to prevent delamination.
Engine MRO and Testing
Clean, dry compressed air (ISO Class [1:2:1]) is essential for cleaning engine passages and pressure testing fuel systems. Any contamination can cause blockages or fluid degradation.
Specialised Systems
- Avionics Cooling: Sensitive electronics require immaculate and dry air (ISO Class [1:2:1]) to prevent short circuits and corrosion.
- Breathing Air: Air for RPE must meet the stringent life-support standard BS EN 12021:2014.
Engineering the Right Solution for Aerospace Operations
Designing an aerospace compressed air system means engineering out risk from the start.
The Oil-Free Imperative: Compressor Technology
Choosing a certified oil-free compressor is a strategic decision. It guarantees purity at the source, eliminating risk. While there are many types of industrial air compressors, aerospace applications demand specific oil-free technologies to ensure safety.
Atlas Copco’s aerospace-ready range includes:
- ZR/ZT Series: Oil-free screw compressors (Class 0) for primary plant air.
- ZH Series: Oil-free centrifugal compressors for enormous, continuous air demands.
- SF Series: Oil-free scroll compressors for labs or R&D facilities.
- NGP+ / NGM: On-site nitrogen generators.
- P/ZD Boosters: High-pressure units for fuel or hydraulic testing.
Essential Air Treatment & Pipework
A compressor is only part of the solution. You need desiccant dryers for critical applications and a compressed air pipework system for aerospace that delivers pure air without adding contaminants from corrosion or leaks.
Maximising Uptime and Energy Efficiency
Compressed air is a significant energy cost. In a demanding aerospace facility, you need maximum efficiency and reliability. Variable Speed Drive (VSD) compressors cut energy consumption by 35-50% by matching motor speed to air demand.
Unexpected downtime can cripple production schedules. Anglian Compressors designs systems for maximum reliability and offers service plans that use AI-driven predictive maintenance for compressors to fix issues before they cause failures.
Strategic Advantage: On-Site Nitrogen Generation
For tyre inflation, strut charging, or fuel tank inerting, on-site nitrogen generation is a more intelligent choice than delivered cylinders. It gives you on-demand purity control, improves safety, and provides a faster ROI.
Proven Expertise in the Aviation Sector
With nearly five decades of experience, Anglian Compressors delivers compliant and reliable compressed air systems to the aviation sector. We proudly support aerospace facilities across Cambridge, Leicester, and the Midlands, regions that host some of the UK’s leading MROs, OEMs, and defence suppliers. Our work with MRO facilities is detailed in our aviation compressed air case study.
You're right; a compressed air system is the heart of your business when it comes to quality, safety, and efficiency. But it takes specialist expertise to get it right.
Are you looking to improve compliance, reduce risk, and lower your costs?
Book your free on-site survey and let Anglian’s ISO 8573-1 certified engineers take a look at your system and make recommendations around compliance, without any obligation and no sales pressure - just honest expert advice.