BARplast provided the thermoplastic polyimide Aurum that has been tested by NASA. The researcher of the NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, tested thermoplastic Polyimides that demonstrated interesting properties, making it a candidate for the electrical wiring requirements for future aero-space transportation technologies.
In a NASA White Paper presented at the Sampe conference in May 2024 the researcher points out that there are: “electrical wiring requirements for next-generation air and space transportation engineering designs, with continuous operation temperature requirements of up to 200°C" The objective of this study was to assess the potential of thermoplastic polyimides as a high-temperature electrical insulation solution. Furthermore, the white paper highlights the need of: "thermoplastic electrical insulation materials systems to improve thermal management in high power density electric motors" and it states that "a melt processable PI with high service temperatures is of interest as an electrical insulation candidate material. Additionally, melt processing enables facile dispersion of fillers within a polymer matrix which can impart additional functionality such as thermal
conductivity “.
About Aurum
Aurum is a semicrystalline TPI suitable for powder coating, injection molding, and extrusion coating, with the highest glass transition temperature in its class. The extrusion processing of Aurum for wire insulation is highly economical, allowing for extremely thin layers and offering high elasticity as well as good compatibility with cooling and lubricating oils.
Aurum, a polymer produced by Mitsui Chemicals Inc. and sold by BARplast in the USA and Bieglo in Europe, has one of the highest glass transition temperature (Tg) of 245°C (473°F) of any commercially available thermoplastics.
