With their 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. 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 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.

Approvals

Bilge:
Since 1991, a major international carrier has replaced fibrous glass bilge insulation with polyimide foam blankets to achieve weight savings (over 150 kilograms per B747), significant maintenance time reductions and longer insulation life cycles. The success of this retrofit program led the airline to obtain a manufacturer master change for SOLIMIDE^® foam bilge insulation blankets on the latest delivered aircraft.

Duct:
Polyimide foam laminated with an elastomeric film provides easy-to-install duct insulation for commercial aircraft used in applications like air conditioning systems, a nitrogen generation system (NGS) or OBIGGS (on-board inert gas generation). This long-lasting foam insulation product does not settle around the duct perimeter or lose thickness over service life-time. SOLIMIDE^® foam duct insulation passes all current flammability requirements, including FAA flammability rule FAR 25.856(a).

Airplane Fuselage:
When combined with a lightweight, moisture barrier film, SOLIMIDE^® foam provides a long lasting, durable blanket for use as aircraft fuselage insulation. In a direct flight test comparison with fibrous glass insulation, only foam blankets maintained their thickness and shape, thereby ensuring a maximum retention of their initial thermal-acoustic insulation qualities.

SOLIMIDE^® foams are an integral part of multi-layered state of the art aircraft fuselage insulation systems. In addition to providing the basic acoustic-thermal insulation, layered insulation blankets provide greater rigidity and enhanced longevity. Insulation blankets containing polyimide foam typically install faster resulting in lower initial installation times and reduced maintenance costs over product life cycle. These cost saving features combined can produce lower overall life cycle costs for the fuselage insulation system.

Retrofit:
SOLIMIDE^® foams are used in state of the art fuselage aircraft insulation systems to upgrade in-service aircraft and to achieve quieter cabin sound levels. Existing production Lear, Embraer and Bombardier business jets enjoy the advantages of fuselage insulation containing polyimide foam to achieve maximum sound insulation within allowable weight tolerance.

SOLIMIDE^® polyimide foams are an integral component of multi-layered airplane fuselage insulation systems. In addition to providing the basic acoustic-thermal insulation, layered insulation blankets afford greater rigidity and enhanced longevity. With polyimide foam inside, insulation blankets typically install faster and more economically with fewer attachments than other insulation systems. This results in both lower initial installation times and reduced maintenance costs in the future.

When bringing your aircraft in for maintenance or refurbishment, selecting new fuselage insulation containing SOLIMIDE^® foam allows one to upgrade an existing aircraft to state of the art insulation offered on new equipment.

FAR 25.856:
SOLIMIDE^® polyimide foams meet the FAR 25.856(a) radiant panel flammability requirement.

This OEM specified foam insulation is lightweight, nonflammable, easily fabricated and quick to install. Passing results are maintained with plain SOLIMIDE® foam and with typical aircraft covering films. Current commercial aircraft applications include:

• fuselage insulation

• bleed air duct insulation

• cabin ducting

• fire suppression (Halon) tubing

• replacement of urethane foam tape (for wire runs)

• pipe insulation

• electrical/electronic components

• galley equipment insulation

In addition to meeting the requirements of FAR 25.856(a), SOLIMIDE^® foams are integral parts of fuselage insulation systems that meet FAR 25.856(b) fuselage burn-through criteria. Polyimide foam layer(s) provide rigidity and stiffness within fuselage insulation blankets designed with burn through barriers to fulfill requirements of FAR 25.856(b).