High temperature foam

Posting by Merlijn Janssen on 11 Aug 2008 at 15:06:27.
Hello,
I am looking for a plastic/compound/foam that:
1) Can be poured in a mould.
2) Is lightweight (<500 kg/m3)
3) With a high service temperature (>300 degrees celcius)
4) Thermally isolates well (<0.1 W/mK)
5) With a surface after curing that does not stick.
6) Is stiff after curing (>1 GPa)

And probably the most difficult criterium:
7) An address where I can buy this as a private person, preferably in Benelux, Germany or Poland.

With kind regards,
Merlijn Janssen
follow up posts


Comment by jake on 11 Oct 2010 at 23:01:38  | |responses: 0|
You might try Silicone foams. A number of suppliers I know: NuSil, Rogers corporation, Bluestar and DowCorning provide Silicone foams. I can't say the temp capability of each, however, Silicones can operate at 300 C +.
On 13 Aug 2008 at 17:15:45 Composite Analytica posts:
Dear Merlijn,

One solution could be High Density (Rigid) Polyisocyanurate Foam. However this polymer starts to fail at a service temperature of 177 degrees Celsius. The conductivity, processing, surface and other physical properties are more or less in agreement with your requirements.

Very probably you are familiar with Expanded Polystyrene (see wiki definition at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene). But melting point is 240 degrees Celsius. Again below your service temperature requirement.

The only ultra - high temperature foams left - but which are rather expensive (which is the case with most high performance polymers for aerospace applications) - are the Polyimide based foams (temperature resistant up to 316 degrees Celsius). Would this utra-high temperature Polyimide foam be suitable for your application?

Regards,
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On 14 Aug 2008 at 09:40:15 Merlijn Janssen posts:
Hello Composite Analytica,

Thank you very much for your response.

Polystyrene has a glass temperature of 95 degrees celcius, and is therefor not suitable.

Polyisocyanurate and especially polyimide foam looks like they will be a much better choice than the polyurethane foam that I use now.

Could you perhaps give me some pointers where to start looking for these foams? I have tried to contact some retailers, but to no avail.

Thanks again,
Merlijn Janssen
[responses: 2]

On 14 Aug 2008 at 11:47:34 Composite Analytica posts:
Good Morning Merlijn,

The ultra high temperature Polyimide foam is a typical NASA - patented Polyimide technology. The American GFT corporation has experience with application of their high performance Polyimide products in aviation, marine and automotive applications. For application or equipment specific diffusion and corrosion calculations (moisture and gas, fuel, diesel transmission) you may require additional expertise from our side.

Check the GFT website at: http://www.gftcorp.com/
Check the GFT products at:http://www.gftcorp.com/products/product-listing.html
(PerForma-H® Polyimide Thermal Insulation)

Good luck with the project!

Kind Regards,

[responses: 1]

On 14 Aug 2008 at 13:17:38 Merlijn Janssen posts:
Hello Composite Analytica,

Thank you very much for your pointers. I have contacted GFT about their Polyimide foam. I will remember your consultancy offer.

Regards,
Merlijn Janssen
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