New foams for Aviation and Aerospace

Zotefoams, the foam technologists has developed two new grades of closed cell, cross-linked fluoropolymer foam, specifically for use in aviation and aerospace applications. Designated ZOTEK® F 38 HT and 74 HT respectively, the new foams are claimed to offer an operational temperature limit of 160°C, an improvement of 50°C over the current ZOTEK® F range.

Like the current ZOTEK® F 30, the new HT grades are light weight and possess excellent thermal insulation properties They all exhibit outstanding smoke, toxicity and flame characteristics and meet the requirements of FAR 25.856(a), the radiant heat panel test.

The ZOTEK® F HT grades also offer enhanced chemical and solvent resistance, and higher levels of structural rigidity.

The synergistic combination of structure and insulating properties of Zotek® F 38HT and F 74 HT foams has provided engineers new flexibility and expanded the design envelope. Not only can they reduce the weight of the final part up to 30%, but they are also able to remove several manufacturing steps along the way, creating a more efficient process.

All ZOTEK® F foams can be easily converted using traditional foam fabrication techniques such as sawing, routing, gluing, laminating, welding and die-cutting. They can also be thermoformed into complex single component structures providing many benefits over multi-layer foam systems, such as weight and cost reduction.

One new grade, ZOTEK® F 38 HT, has already received NATO codification, a necessary part of the military procurement process, not only for NATO countries but also for the many other countries who participate in the NATO Codification System.