SABIC launches “industry-first” clear and lightweight sheet for aircrafts
SABIC has launched two new sheet solutions for aircraft interiors that it claims provide long awaited solutions to airlines’ quest for differentiated cabin interior designs while also helping to take out significant weight, resulting in a more fuel efficient aircraft.
The new Lexan sheet solutions, clear Lexan XHR2000 and Lexan Light F6L300, are said to be lightweight, durable materials that will benefit design engineers by reducing system costs, offering ease of fabrication and compliance with the industry’s strict regulatory standards.
“SABIC understands the need for its aircraft interior customers to not only stay ahead of design trends, but also to meet the demand for lighter weight aircraft interior components that can help improve overall fuel efficiency of the aircraft,” explained Kim Choate, Director of Mass Transportation for SABIC’s Innovative Plastics business.
The new 80 percent light transmission Lexan XHR2000 sheet has the current highest level of light transmission available in an OSU-compliant sheet material, according to SABIC, as well as offering robust vertical burn performance with the use of a post-secondary process, such as a functional coating or laminated film, which adds further design, chemical resistance and scratch resistance properties in applications such as design of large components such as security partitions and oversized windows.
SABIC says Lexan Light F6L300 sheet is the lightest thermoplastic sheet option available today, regardless of base material, that complies with flame, smoke and OEM toxicity. With a specific gravity of 0.85 g/cm3, it is said to offer up to 40 percent weight savings when replacing traditional polyvinyl chloride and acrylic blend (PVC/PMMA) -based sheet products for potential applications such as seating parts, cockpit dashboard enclosures, partitions, luggage compartments and passenger service units.
The potential weight savings are due to Lexan Light sheet’s closed cell structure, which SABIC says can be thermoformed into complex 3D shaped parts with very thin walls, down to 0.6 mm, offering substantial potential for overall weight reduction and fuel efficiency across an airline fleet.
“SABIC’s durable, lightweight Lexan XHR2000 and Lexan LIGHT F6L300 sheet solutions are market-firsts, created to help our customers remain at the forefront of innovation in this exciting environment where aesthetics, safety and sustainability are all critical,” Choate added.