Delivering Fluid Sealing Solutions Since 1972

Aerospace Material Specification (AMS)

AMS Specification Seals for the Aerospace & Defence Industry

Aerospace Material Specification (AMS) Seals are the Gold standard for compliance and material integrity. Managed by SAE International, these materials meet global benchmarks to withstand extreme thermal, chemical, and atmospheric aviation pressures.

More than just a ‘part number,’ an AMS-certified seal provides:

  • Compliance & Traceability
  • Environmental Resilience
  • Mission-Critical Safety

Compliance & Traceability

In the Aerospace industry, conventional materials cannot meet the extreme performance demands required to ensure flight safety. Unlike standard seals, which are prone to batch variance and pose a significant operational risk, AMS-certified elastomers provide guaranteed consistency. This protocol ensures every seal is identical in chemistry and performance, while strict traceability verifies the product’s ‘cure date’ to prevent the use of expired or substituted parts. By providing this verified history, AMS specifications enable full alignment with CAA airworthiness, AS9100 quality management, UK REACH environmental standards, and ARP5316 shelf-life protocols

Environmental Resilience

Environmental Resilience is not just about the material withstanding the weather conditions, it is about maintaining the sealing force under extreme physical and chemical pressure.
The main risks posed to aircraft components are Thermal Shock, Ozone/UV Exposure and Chemical Degradation:

  • Thermal Shock
    – Aerospace Seals must transition from scorching heats to extreme colds rapidly. Unlike standard rubber, AMS materials undergo TR-10 testing to ensure seals regain “spring back” after freezing.
  • Ozone/UV Exposure
    – At high altitudes, the concentration of Ozone and the intensity of UV radiation are significantly higher. AMS-grade seals are tested to ensure they don’t harden when exposed to continuous     sunlight and high-altitudes.
  • Chemical Degradation
    – AMS fuel-grade nitriles (AMS-P-5315) are formulated to keep their exact dimensions, ensuring the seal doesn’t swell out of shape.

Mission-Critical Safety

Flying requires parts that simply cannot fail. Our seals protect everything from cabin pressure to engine safety. By using industry-certified materials, our components withstand extreme flight conditions, preventing failures and keeping aircraft operational.

Further information on AMS Materials

AMS Rubber Specifications Descriptions

Why Choose M Barnwell Services?

For a high-risk Industry, a seal is only as good as the documentation and expertise behind it. M Barnwell Services have over 50 years experience, always exceeding our customer’s expectations through consistent delivery of quality, service and value.

  • Military Specification – We are continuously researching, designing, enhancing and distributing a diverse range of parts that are critical to the NATO (stock numbers NSN). Our expertise includes supplying seals to the strictest military specifications, including NES 337 (Naval Engineering Standard) UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), alongside AMS, MIL, MS, NAS, NFL and DEF STAN.
  • Aerospace Compliance – Our operations are aligned with the highest global standards, including AS9100 / EN9100 Quality Management. We offer ISO 2685 and AC20-135 fire-compliant materials, backed by ITAR capabilities for secure defence data and component handling..
  • Unrivalled Technical Expertise – with over 650 years combined years of sealing experience, our team can help you navigate the complexities of material selection backed by unrivalled knowledge of sealing solutions and applications
  • Global Purchasing Power – Leveraging over 50 years industry experience, Barnwell has created partnerships with the world’s leading manufacturers. These long-standing relationships allow us to secure premium quality products at the lowest price. These advantages are passed directly to our customers.
  • Self Certification – With a secure global supply chain and high-quality materials, M Barnwell Services can self-certify parts, saving you time by bypassing external engineering approvals. For more complex projects, our Quality Control team provides full ISIR and PSW documentation as standard, with PPAP available upon request.
  • The UK’s Largest Inventory of Sealing Products – Current stock level £5.1 million covering over 35,000 different product lines. M Barnwell Services holds 3 months of FAD stock for you, reducing lead times and order minimums while ensuring flexible, high-level service.

For more information, please get in contact with a member of our team or visit SAE International. For reference and information only. E&OE