Technical data FITS AIR

General information

FITS AIR panels fulfils all FAA regulations for aircraft interiors. Both Airbus and Boeing performed the relevant tests. The FITS OSU values under 30/15 and smoke density < 5, ensure that FITS AIR will also fulfil future requirements.

FITS AIR panels have totally supported facings; the vertical oriented foam provides the panels a very high compression strength; FITS AIR panels bending strength is even better then Nomex panels. Strength and stress tests performed by Airbus, Bremen, confirm these excellent mechanical properties (further information on request).

The FITS AIR design prevent panels having a L- or W-direction. The evenly distributed foam will ensure homogeneity over the whole panel and prevents side effects (gaps in the core structure).

The design of making facings and foam from the same polymer in one step, ensures a very high peel strength. This, together with the vertical foam, will make FITS AIR panels very rigid and damage tolerant (both the facings and structurally).

FITS AIR panels have a very high temperature resistance with a Tg of 215 °C. Even in hot or humid conditions, FITS AIR properties are maintained. FITS AIR panels only absorb 1% water, even after storing the panel for a period of 1 year at 80°C and at a 90% RH. Furthermore, there is no growth of fungus.

4 point bending test results


thickness
density foam 		FITS panel*
10 mm
85 kg/m³		 FITS panel*
8 mm
90 kg/m³
 FITS panel*
6 mm
90 kg/m³
 test
limit		 Nomex panel*
11 mm
48 kg/m³ epoxy adh.
4-point bending
max. load		 858 N A-t
(Airbus-tested) 		810 N

 645 N
(Airbus-tested) 		700 N

730 N (L-dir.)

Maximum bending displacement 21 mm
24 mm
35 mm
15 mm
4-pnt bending
max. load 80 °C 		730 N
85% retention
(Airbus tested) 		675 N,
85 % retention 		500 N
71 % 		65% retention
Max. bending* displacement 20 mm
Panel weight g/m² 2570 g/m²
2440 g/m²
2300 g/m²
2435 g/ m²

*Facings: 2/2 glass fabric, style 7781, AIR resin impregnated (32 ± 1%) and consolidated,
ABS5036-A02, Ten Cate(Cetex) at both sides.

Mechanical properties in-situ foam

Preliminary data sheet

Properties of in-situ foam panels of 8-10 mm thickness.

Density 
in-situ foam		 kg/m³
 80
 90
 110 Test method
Compression strength Mpa
 1.8
 2.5
 3.5 ASTM C365-57
Compression modulus Mpa
 110
 130
 160
Shear Strength Mpa
 0.8*
 1.2*
 1.5*
 ASTM C273-61
Shear Modulus Mpa 12*
 19*
 26*
Flatwise tensile strength Mpa
 2.5*
 4*
 5*
 ASTM C297-61
Climbing drum peel strength N.mm/mm 80 90 125 ASTM D1781

* Minimum values, which are expected to be guaranteed in the production of larger panels;
Actual values are 10 - 15 % higher.

Impact properties


density
thickness 		FITS panel*
85 kg/m³,
10 mm		 FITS panel*
90 kg/m³,
8 mm		 Nomex*
48 kg/m³, epoxy adh.
10 mm		 Nomex**
48 kg/m³,
10 mm		 Impact testing
Gardner impact test 10 inch/lb, dent, local no change in structural integrity 9.3 inch/lb,
honeycomb crushed, local no structural integrity 		Gardner impact test
Part manufacturer
test results 		About equal,
dent, local no change in structural integrity 		About equal,
dent, local no change in structural integrity 		About equal,
honeycomb crushed, local no structural integrity 		Part manufacturer test results

* Facings 2/2 US style 7781, AIR, consolidated.
** Facings 2/2 US style 7781, cured phenolic.

Flammability

Flammability test results of FITS panels at Airbus in Bremen.

Panel configuration 2/2* 2/2* 2/2 + dec.** 2/2 + dec.** Limit
Panel thickness  mm 6 10 6 10
Foam density kg/m³ 90 85 90 85
Panel weight kg/m² 2.26 2.58 2.26 2.58
Decoration film decor.

 PSA PSA
OSU-total
2 min. kW/m² HR		 8 8 28 27 65
OSU - peak
in 5 min.  kW/m² HRR		 25 32 32 32 65
Smoke  density 3 1 57 52 150
Vertical Bunsen, 12 sec.
Burn length mm
After flame time(s)
After flame time drips		 57
0
0 		57
0
0 		64
0
0 		48
0
0 		203
15
0
Vertical Bunsen, 60 sec.
Burn length  mm
After flame time(s)
After flame time(s) drips		 118
0
0 		92
0
0 		125
0
0 		93
0
0 		152
15
3

*  Number of layers consolidated AIR US-style 7781 glass fabric (ABS5036-A02)

Recyclable at part level

In the future FITS AIR parts can be recycled by:

1: Grinding and use it as short fiber injection molding material.
2: Solving the PEI from the parts, removing the solvent and re-use the PEI polymer in the manufacturing of films.
Grinding the glass fiber and melt the fibers to reuse it as glass
3: Solving the polymer and use the solution in the manufacturing of prepreg by solvent impregnation. Grinding the glass fiber and melt the fibers to reuse it as glass.

Thermal conductivity

according ISO 8301

Panel
 FITS* t=10 mm
Foam: 85 kg/m³
 FITS* t=7.7 mm
Foam: 85 kg/m³
 FITS* t=20 mm
Foam: 90 kg/m³
 Nomex* t=10.9 mm
HRH: 448 kg/m³, epoxy bonded 75 gr/m²
Temp. Average Cond. (W/mK) Average Cond. (W/mK) Average Cond. (W/mK) Average Cond. (W/mK)
0.0 °C 0.04197 0.04270 0.04395 0.04820
10 °C 0.04405 0.04421 0.04583 0.05101
20 °C 0.04572 0.04567 0.04764 0.05366
50 °C 0.05111 0.05040 0.05380 0.06208
-10 °C 0.04070 0.04204 0.04267 NT
Panel weight gr/m² 2582 2448 3528 2440

* Facings: ABS5036-A02, 2 layers of consolidated glass fabric US Style 7781 reinforced
PEI(PolyEtherimid) thermoplastic, Cetex from Ten Cate Advanced Composites.