Huntsman Advanced Materials Focuses on New Generation Adhesive Materials for Aerospace Interiors

The use of composite materials on aircraft interiors in pursuit of the same performance demands that motivate the OEMs of primary structures continues to emerge from the shadow of composite airframe applications. With fuel prices currently accounting for over a third of operating costs, it is now widely recognized that interior composites can deliver significant cost savings in this area.

Given the valued combination of low weight, high strength, and processing efficiencies they deliver to the aircraft manufacturing environment, it’s clear to see why composite materials have a promising future in passenger aircraft interiors, especially now that Huntsman’s structural application chemistries offer low flammability.

A change in direction for aircraft interiors

Demand for the provision of materials that ensure OEMs meet the very stringent fire, smoke and toxicity (FST) mandates set by the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 25, remains as crucial as ever. To date, this has very often been the stumbling block for structural solutions, or chemistries such as epoxies, but remains a key focus for Huntsman in product development.

Fast curing FST solution

Araldite FST 40002 / 40003, a high-performance processing solution for aerospace composites interiors, is recognized as an entirely new and significantly advanced development in material science. In uniquely combining inherent FST properties with high quality, user-friendly processing methods, Araldite FST 40002 / 40003 enables efficiently produced interior structural glass and carbon composites, with maximized weight savings.

By comparison with other composites solutions such as epoxy prepregs or thermoplastic organosheets, Araldite FST 40002 / 40003’s RTM and infusion processing capabilities enable - for the first time ever - the production of structural FST parts that are unrestricted by the degree of part complexity and function integration.

This non-halogenated, inherently flame retardant system meets the FAR 25.853 vertical burn, smoke and toxicity requirements for CFRP and GFRP in all thickness configurations without the use of any filler.

 The mixed two-component system exhibits a low viscosity at low working temperatures, c.a.50°C. Its latency characteristics, between 50°C to 150°C, provide high flexibility in manufacturing. It allows the production of large parts with low-cost mold solutions, through the infusion process, as well as high productivity for small and medium parts, with an in-mold cure capability of 5 minutes at just 150°C, using the RTM process.