SOLIMIDE® Foams

Aerospace
With it’s ability to remain flexible and resilient from as low as -300°F (-196°C) to as high as +575°F (+300°C), SOLIMIDE ^® foams are the ideal choice for lightweight aircraft insulation and other space applications. Highly valued for space vehicles and airplane fuselage assemblies, these formaldehyde-free open cell foams have minimal outgassing and emit virtually no toxic gasses or smoke in a fire scenario.

SOLIMIDE ^® foam is used as payload fairing acoustic insulation on heavy lift launch vehicle programs. With multiple launches over the years, they continue to withstand the extreme vibration loadings of rigorous launch conditions. Other critical applications include everything from thermal insulation of communication satellite louvers to the fire-resistant cushioning of delicate components and instruments in the International Space Station, Mars Rover and other NASA space vehicles.

SOLIMIDE ^® aircraft insulation foams are the ideal insulation to meet the stringent requirements of the aircraft industry. View Aerospace and Aviation Approvals. They provide weight savings, improved handling/installation characteristics and enhanced performance durability in service compared to traditional insulation, resulting in lower operating and life cycle costs. In addition, the foams meet FAA flammability rule FAR 25.856(a) as well as OEM specifications like BMS8-300 and AIMS 04-14-004. During flaming conditions, SOLIMIDE ^® foams generate minimal smoke and toxic gasses, meeting and exceeding typical aircraft requirements. Under regular operating conditions, off gassing is virtually non-existent. These open cell foam products are widely used in private, commercial, and military aircraft.

SOLIMIDE ^® foams are specified and flying in Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Hughes Helicopter, and Sikorsky Helicopter, among others. Commonly specified materials are AC-550, HT-340, TA-301 and AC-530.

Appliance
Appliance design teams use SOLIMIDE ^® polyimide foams as appliance insulation to improve product performance and reduce assembly costs. The wide temperature range (–196°C to 300°C / –321°F to 575°F), easy installation, and in-use durability increases productivity. Since polyimide foam is non-fibrous, there are no health or safety concerns with respirable fibers. Commonly specified materials are AC-550 and AC-530.

Residential Heaters
A European manufacturer needed a production-friendly high heath insulation inside the walls of a residential heating appliance that regulates temperature according to the time of day. SOLIMIDE ^® foam met the manufacturer’s need for an appliance insulation material that was easier to handle and install, but still capable of managing a continuous use temperature of 300°C (575 °F). Since SOLIMIDE ^® foam does not settle inside the unit, the home heater operates optimally, with an even temperature distribution and a safer exterior surface temperature.

Medical/Hospital Heating Appliances
A manufacturer sought a high heat insulation material to replace ceramic fibers used in heating appliances that warm hospital linens, diapers, etc. for neo-natal care facilities. Since SOLIMIDE ^® HT-340 foam is non-fibrous, the manufacturer was able to eliminate the need for personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators and gloves, during the production process. This not only improved the production process and employee morale, it also lowered the total installed cost of the thermal insulation system.

Building and Construction
Two major concerns in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry are fibers in the air stream and indoor air quality. Many building owners and mechanical engineers recognize that using fiberglass liners as building insulation creates the threat of these particles being liberated into the airstream, but they still want systems that operate quietly.

SOLIMIDE ^® offers excellent acoustic absorption properties equivalent to fiberglass liners and because it is foam, fibers are not a concern. In addition, bacteria-resistant SOLIMIDE ^® foam is formaldehyde-free and does not emit harmful VOCs while absorbing sound energy from air movement, vibration and mechanical noise. Common applications include solar, HVAC, residential and business construction, stadiums, music theatres and attics.

Commonly specified materials are AC-550 and AC-530.

Electronics & Instrumentation
In many electronics and instrumentation applications, off-gassing is a major concern. Manufacturers need a durable thermal / acoustic electronic insulation that performs at high temperatures; they also need to ensure that their sensitive equipment will not be damaged by an insulation that emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs). SOLIMIDE ^® Foams perform efficiently at temperatures up to 300°C (575 F) with virtually no off gassing.

Heated Transfer Lines
A test equipment manufacturer needed a non-fibrous insulation material that performed well under fluctuating temperature conditions, exhibited low off-gassing, and yet was thin enough to fit their tight space constraints. SOLIMIDE ^® densified HT foam proved itself under high temperature conditions and was able to satisfy space requirements while providing the necessary thermal electronic insulation. The customer continues to use SOLIMIDE ^® foam as its thermal insulation for enclosures and as pipe insulation for transfer lines.

Utility Laptops
A field laptop display monitor had image distortion at low operating temperatures during military test runs. This distortion resulted from temperature fluctuations between components. The manufacturer of these rugged, wireless computers needed a material with a low thermal conductivity value to insulate within the monitor’s tight space constraints. SOLIMIDE ^® densified HT foam solved the laptop’s functional problem by providing sufficient thermal resistance at the allowed thickness.

Oven Test Units
An electronics and measurement instrument manufacturer sought an insulation material that would not release volatiles, which could compromise test unit measurements. Because SOLIMIDE ^® HT-340 foam provides low off-gassing, thermal stability, and vibration durability, it was selected as the oven/enclosure thermal insulation and as a vibration isolator inside these test units.

Common specified materials are HT-340 and Densified Solimide.

Rail
SOLIMIDE ^® polyimide foam offers a lightweight, non-fibrous insulation solution for rail transportation applications. The fire and moisture resistance, as well as thermal and acoustic insulating properties make it an excellent non-toxic insulation choice for the rail industry. SOLIMIDE ^® foam is especially useful in areas that see humid conditions, high temperatures or where loose fibers are a concern.

Common applications include sidewall and ceiling insulation, heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems, driver cabs, packing / seals around doors and windows as well as mechanical areas. Common specified materials are TA-301.