BASF has developed prototypes of what it says is the world's first particle foam based on polyethersulfone (PESU).
The foam has high temperature resistance, flame retardancy and is lightweight with improved stiffness and strength, according to BASF. It is suitable for complex-shaped components in cars, airplanes and trains. The expandable PESU granulate is pre-foamed into beads with low densities between 40 and 120 g/L and can be processed into molded parts with complex 3D geometries using technologies available on the market.
According to the company, expanded molded parts made from one single material have more flexibility in density and shape and greater freedom in design when compared to traditional honeycomb structures coated with phenolic resin. Functional parts such as inserts and screw threads can also be integrated.
This story is reprinted from material from BASF, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
