Breakthrough materials solutions offered by SABIC

Transparent Lexan FST copolymer resin: Now available in a clear formulation, this resin offers improved aesthetic flexibility. It can be combined with Lexan XHR sheet in matching colors for components such as personal service units, window reveals and threshold trims, thus eliminating the costs and environmental exposures of secondary painting. It can also be hard coated to enable full compliance for interior applications.

Extem UP thermoplastic polyimide (TPI) resins: These flame-retardant, extreme high-heat materials meet UL746B requirements at a Relative Thermal Index (RTI) of 240C, indicating retention of certain mechanical and electrical properties at this temperature over a period of 10 years. By incorporating polyetheretherketone (PEEK) into its proven ultra-performance Extem resin technology, SABIC Innovative Plastics is able to offer customers optimized performance combining the best of both materials. It offers up to five times greater flex strength and up to five times higher stiffness than unfilled PEEK at 200C. It also provides a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of up to 30 percent lower than unfilled PEEK.

Extem UP thermoplastic resin’s high performance properties gives customers greater design freedom and efficiency, higher strength and stiffness using thinner walls to reduce material weight and costs, and tighter dimensional control for high-precision applications. This unique blend technology opens new opportunities for lower-weight, high-temperature continuous use applications such as semiconductor chip trays, connectors for harsh environments, and metal replacement in high-heat oil and gas and aircraft environments.

At its exhibit, SABIC Innovative Plastics is showcasing a number of interior applications that benefit from its leading-edge materials.

In-flight trolley from LSG Sky Chef and Norduyn: These ultra-light-weight trolleys – which won the 2010 Crystal Cabin Award in the Green Cabin, Health and Safety category – feature ultraviolet-resistant Ultem resin for their extrusion profiles and door latch and tough Noryl resin for the frame and other components. The Crystal Cabin Award is the only international award for excellence in aircraft interior innovation.

Galley inserts from Sell Cabin Interiors GmbH, part of Zodiac Aerospace Group: Ultem resin replaced metal in more than 30 parts to save weight and reduce costs through part consolidation for Sell`s new generation oven. Ultem resin was chosen for the front and door of the bun warmer; the front drip tray, brew head and brew cup of the coffeemaker; the front and door of the oven; and the serving pot, beverage maker and water boiler. Ultem resin enabled greater design freedom and color-matching.

New cockpit from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Lexan F6000 sheet was tapped by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. a world-leading manufacturer of single-engine turboprop aircraft and aircraft training systems, to create its new state-of-the-art cockpit. The material gives the OEM superior processability vs. thermosets along with colorability and dimensional stability and complies with industry requirements.