At the Aircraft Interiors Expo SABIC's Innovative Plastics business announced two new grades of LEXAN CFR copolymers - an industry first that will help aircraft OEMs, designers and manufacturers realize new weight-out strategies while meeting the industry's strict regulatory demands. These innovative and compliant materials enable customers to produce parts with thinner walls, which help reduce interior weight of an aircraft. This is another demonstration of SABIC's continued commitment in developing fresh approaches to the ongoing challenge of aircraft weight reduction."These materials represent a major step forward in thin-wall designs for aircraft interiors," said Kim Choate, Global Mass Transportation Leader, Innovative Plastics. "They can help meet the challenges manufacturers are having with traditional materials, particularly transparent resins that do not support regulatory compliance at thinner gauges. Our LEXAN CFR copolymers, however, meet the most stringent FST standards while opening up entirely new opportunities to reduce weight and conserve space in a wide array of interior applications."
The new polycarbonate (PC) copolymers give customers the ability to mold or extrude parts with very thin walls (down to 1.5mm) while complying with leading flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) standards with halogen-free flame retardant technology to support sustainability. LEXAN CFR5630 copolymer, available in transparent and opaque formulations, is a material of choice for lenses, light rails and seating components, while LEXAN CFR5630D copolymer, the diffusion grade, is aimed at light-emitting diode (LED) lighting applications
LEXAN CFR5630 and CFR5630D grades meet the requirements of the FAR 25.853 vertical burn test at 1.5mm - a milestone for PC materials. These grades also passed the test at 2mm and 3mm. In addition, SABIC will qualify each single production lot according to the FAR 25.853 regulation to assure customers of its suitability for use in aircraft cabin interiors.
