Material Solutions for Aviation and Aerospace Markets

As one of the world’s largest specialty chemicals manufacturer, Evonik Industries offer an ever-expanding range of advanced, high quality polymers and composite materials to provide solutions to the critical demands of the Aviation and Aerospace Industries.

ALBIDUR^®

Typically used for thermosetting resins utilized in aircraft manufacturing, ALBIDUR^® core-shell technology effectively increases the core strength of fiber-reinforced composite parts or structural adhesives. This technology effectively operates across a wide range of environmental temperatures; from - 100 °C up to the highest usage temperature of the thermosetting resins. In addition, use of this material significantly decreases susceptibility to fatigue, thereby improving service life.

ALBIDUR^® products contain reactive resins which are distributed with fully cured silicone rubber particles. With a size of approximately 0.1 - 3 µm, these rubber particles have an organic shell structure containing the reactive groups.

ALBIPOX^®

ALBIPOX^® rubber-modified epoxy resins are used to strengthen epoxy prepregs for aerospace requirements. In addition to improving core toughness and minimizing microcrack development in fiber-reinforced composites and structural adhesives, this technology can increase fiber wetting and adhesion to aluminum substrates. A vital part of the toolbox of resin formulators, specialty grades of ALBIPOX^® are often efficiently utilized as tackifiers to enhance the workability of epoxy prepregs

CALIDUR^®

CALIDUR^® embodies a new generation of thermoset matrix resins. With intrinsic FST performance, high TG, 8 °C stability, formaldehyde-free and chemical resistant nature, and advantageous compressive and shear behavior, this technology offers the benefits of both phenolic and high TG epoxy resins.

CALIDUR^® laminates have superior flame resistance to those based on epoxy resins. Therefore, the future could see completely formaldehyde-free aerospace interior components. Furthermore, the thermostatic behavior of CALIDUR means it can be manipulated like a thermoplastic resin, and its broad range of curing temperatures results in high glass transition temperatures and excellent thermal oxidative stability.

COMPIMIDE^®

The range of COMPIMIDE^® bismaleimide resins are functionally designed for high-performance composites, typically for applications in the aerospace industry. These resins are characterized by their excellent temperature resistance and high glass transition temperatures, thus providing optimal performance in any environmental condition. Other advantages include preservation of mechanical properties at temperatures up to 250 °C, good resistance to flame and radiation, minimal smoke and toxicant secretions, and simple processing. COMPIMIDE^® bismaleimide products include bismaleimide monomers, toughening modifiers, and formulated bismaleimide resins.

EUROPLEX^®

EUROPLEX^® Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) extruded sheets are designed to offer infinite interior decoration possibilities for aircraft cabin components. Available in opaque and transparent options, both sheet types meet critical flame, smoke and toxicity requirements in addition to excellent chemical and impact resistance. PPSU can be manufactured with customary forming apparatus for a variety of application such as window shades, seating and side wall dividers for galleys and lavatories.

NANOPOX^®

Epoxy resins containing surface-modified silica nanoparticles are used in many fiber-reinforced composites and structural adhesives for aerospace applications. This is because such resins significantly enhance compressive strength and fatigue performance, producing optimal service life.

The NANOPOX^® products utilize concentrates of nanosilica within epoxy resins. These nanoparticles are very small and do not aggregate, allowing them to easily infiltrate all fiber structures without comprising the impregnation by raised viscosities. Suitable for any current processing technology such as resin infusion, RTM and VARTM, these products are even appropriate for prepreg manufacturing.

PLEXIGLAS^®

PLEXIGLAS^® is an acrylic sheet based on methacrylate chemistry (PMMA). Due to it’s durable, lightweight, and high impact-resistance properties, this technology is typically utilized in military and commercial aircraft glazing.

Evonik ensure that PLEXIGLAS^® is produced using equipment reserved for aviation acrylic products and is rigorously inspected upon development. Their aviation grade sheets are also the largest in this industry (2 m x 3 m) and provide optimal optical quality and thickness tolerance in monolithic production. Furthermore, the material can be easily manipulated and meets many worldwide application requirements.

P84^®

P84^® Polyimide (PI) is a high-performance polymer that offers outstanding physical properties with high temperature and chemical resistance.

PI is available in a variety of forms. As a solvent, it can be used to make anti-friction coatings or insulating layers for aerospace electronics due to its minimal dielectric constant and high dielectric strength. In fiber form, P84^® is generally utilized to produce defensive clothing for pilots or for aerospace insulation and sealing materials.

Finally, PI powder can be manufactured into near-net-shape components on the plane or the engine using sintering technology, and offers many beneficial properties including excellent temperature stability to 350 °C, chemical resistance, good mechanical strength, low friction coefficient and minimal abrasion.

ROHACELL^®

ROHACELL^® Polymethacrylimide (PMI) structural foam has been used in fiber composite technology for over 40 years. Made from extremely robust and rigid composite structures, this foam is compatible with all typical thermoset and thermoplastic polymers.

Evonik’s full line of ROHACELL^® products demonstrates highly beneficial properties such as impressive mechanical strength (even at low densities), a wide temperature range, and a high temperature resistance of up to 220 °C. PMI structural foam also has unique compressive creep behavior and a range of strength and cell sizes that can be specified to meet any application needs. No unnecessary weight will accumulate since the foam uptakes resin only in the exposed cut surface cells, and it is suitable to be CNC milled or thermoformed into intricate geometries.

VESTAKEEP^®

VESTAKEEP^® is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) which is designed for production of durable aerospace components. Due to the ability to withstand raised temperatures as well as chemical and conductive environments, this material can be utilized for applications in the toughest of conditions. Furthermore, VESTAKEEP also offers mechanical advantages including higher elongation at break, good impact strength and lower notch sensitivity due to its high ductility and molecular weight. This is advantageous for both development and lifetime duration.

Alternatively, VESTAKEEP^® can be used as a resin matrix for thermoplastic composite unidirectional fiber tapes and fabric prepregs. Excellent durability, impact resistance and creep behavior are demonstrated even under continuous use at temperatures of up to 250 °C, and its light weight structure combined with high mechanical strength make it an effective alternative to traditional thermosets and metals.

VESTAKEEP^® is also available as a specially formulated ultra-fine powder which, via selective laser sintering, offers a solution to hot air ducting, clips and brackets in a wide variety of commercial and military applications.

VESTAMID^®

Specialty VESTAMID^® Polyamide 12 (PA12) compounds contain a non-migrating flame retardant, free of halogens and phosphorous. Due to their heat and flammable resistant nature, they are especially suited for use as aircraft interior parts, or for extrusion and injection molding. Furthermore, these compounds are extremely light weight and thus can produce significant weight savings in comparison to traditional phenolic equivalents.

VESTOSINT^®

VESTOSINT^® Polyamide 12 (PA 12) are extremely fine powders which, via sintering technology, can provide high-quality and reliable processing. With advantageous mechanical properties that enable complex geometry for optimum design freedom, part consolidation and simplified logistics, VESTOSINT^® ultra-flexible grades are eight times more flexible and five times stronger than their equivalent counterparts.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Evonik Industries - ROHACELL.

For more information on this source, please visit Evonik Industries - ROHACELL.