China’s first domestically produced regional passenger jet—the ARJ21-700—took off on its maiden flight from Shanghai late last year, and part of its success is due to two high-performance foams: Rohacell, a polymethacrylimide rigid foam for structural composites, and a polyimide soft foam, Solimide, for insulation from Evonik Industries (Marl, Germany).

Both the winglet and flap vane of the ARJ21 use Rohacell foamcore sandwich structures. It offers rigidity and light weight in molded parts that are capable of withstanding extreme stress. Solimide has a wide operating temperature range and good FR properties. In case of fire, its toxic gas production and smoke development are both considered low. —[email protected]