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Aerospace

Aircraft Floor Heating

Self-regulating PTC heating for aircraft doors — ultralight, no controller required, fully aviation approved. Up to 1,350 × 1,000 mm.

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Aircraft Floor Heating

Challenge

In aircraft door areas, the floor cools significantly during long-haul flights due to thermal bridging to the outer skin. This reduces passenger and crew comfort and causes condensation formation — a potential safety and maintenance concern. Previous heating solutions were vulnerable to mechanical stress, complex to integrate, heavy, and lacked the robustness required for aviation production processes. High rejection rates and reduced lifespan made conventional systems economically problematic.

Our Solution

ATT's innovative PTC heater film technology is now available as an intelligent, ultralight and durable component of the composite floor structure. The self-regulating PTC material automatically maintains a homogeneous temperature in the door areas without requiring a control unit — reducing system complexity, weight and maintenance. Using novel high-performance materials such as carbon- and silver-filled polymers, the heater is fully integrated into the composite floor, making it invisible and highly durable against both mechanical and chemical influences.

How It Works

1

Requirements & Certification Scope

Joint definition of performance requirements, applicable aviation standards and certification scope. We assess door area geometry, thermal bridging characteristics and target temperature profile.

2

Heater Design & Material Selection

Custom PTC heater layout designed for your aircraft type. PTC material composition selected for the required temperature range. High-performance carbon- and silver-filled polymers ensure fire protection compliance.

3

Composite Integration

PTC heater films are fully integrated into the composite floor layup during manufacturing. The heater becomes invisible and inseparable — providing superior mechanical and chemical durability compared to surface-mounted solutions.

4

Testing & Aviation Approval

Comprehensive testing including thermal performance, fire protection, mechanical stress and chemical resistance. Full documentation for aviation authority approval. ATT is your serial supplier for aviation floor heating.

Application Areas

Narrow-Body Door Areas

Entry and service door areas of single-aisle aircraft where thermal bridging to the outer skin is most pronounced. Prevents floor cooling and condensation during all flight phases.

Wide-Body Galleys & Entries

Large door areas and galley floors in wide-body aircraft. Customizable dimensions up to 1,350 × 1,000 mm accommodate the larger floor surfaces typical of wide-body configurations.

Rail Vehicle Floors

The PTC heating technology transfers directly to rail vehicles — entry areas, vestibules and passenger compartment floors benefit from the same ultralight, self-regulating heating concept.

Industrial Floor Heating

Control rooms, cleanrooms and other industrial environments requiring precise, maintenance-free floor heating. The composite-integrated design provides exceptional durability in high-traffic areas.

Technical Data

Technology PTC Heater Film
Max Dimensions Up to 1,350 × 1,000 mm
Control None required (self-regulating)
Heating Material Carbon- and silver-filled polymers
Integration Full composite floor integration
Fire Protection High fire protection class
Certification Fully tested and aviation approved
Also Suitable For Rail, industrial applications

Key Advantages

  • Self-regulating PTC: homogeneous heating without control unit or temperature sensors
  • Full integration into composite floor structure — invisible, mechanically and chemically durable
  • Ultralight design contributes to fuel efficiency
  • Prevents condensation formation in door areas
  • Customizable geometry up to 1,350 × 1,000 mm
  • Fully tested and approved for aviation
  • Technology transferable to rail and industrial floor heating applications
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the PTC heater film not require a control unit?
The PTC heater film uses PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) materials that inherently self-regulate their temperature. As the material heats up, its electrical resistance increases until an equilibrium temperature is reached. The heater physically cannot exceed this temperature — eliminating the need for temperature sensors, control electronics or safety cutoffs. This significantly reduces system weight, complexity and maintenance.
How is the heater integrated into the aircraft floor?
The PTC heater film is integrated during the composite floor manufacturing process — it becomes part of the floor layup itself. After curing, the heater is invisible, inseparable from the structure, and protected against mechanical loads (foot traffic, cargo handling) and chemical exposure (cleaning agents, de-icing fluids). This is fundamentally different from surface-mounted solutions.
What fire protection standards does the PTC heater film meet?
The PTC heater film meets the high fire protection class required for aviation applications. The carbon- and silver-filled polymer materials are specifically formulated for aviation fire safety requirements. Full fire testing documentation is provided for aviation authority certification.
Can the technology be used outside of aviation?
Yes. While developed for aviation, the PTC heating technology is directly applicable in rail vehicles (entry areas, vestibules) and industrial environments (control rooms, cleanrooms). The ultralight, maintenance-free, self-regulating characteristics are valuable in any application where efficient floor heating is needed without additional control systems.
How does floor heating improve passenger comfort in door areas?
During flight, thermal bridging through the aircraft structure causes door area floors to cool significantly — creating uncomfortable cold zones and condensation. The PTC heater film maintains a homogeneous, comfortable floor temperature throughout the flight, eliminating cold spots and preventing condensation formation that could lead to maintenance issues.
What is ATT's supply model for aviation floor heating?
ATT is a serial supplier for aviation floor heating systems based on printed silver or carbon heaters. We typically supply to Tier 1 suppliers but are also capable of partnering directly or supporting research-driven projects. Contact us with your requirement, concept idea or ready-made RFQ.

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