Stimulite® - Aerospace Materials from BASF

BASF Aerospace Materials
Stimulite®
Seating materials from flexible honeycomb
based on thermoplastic urethane
Product
Information
Stimulite is a flexible form of honeycomb material, made
from BASF’s Elastollan® thermoplastic urethane (TPU). It is
an alternate material to foam in seat cushions and sleeping
surfaces. Medically proven, it provides long term sitting
comfort in a lightweight, low profile that yields more cabin
space. Unique performance features promote health and
well-being. Stimulite honeycomb can be found in aircraft
crew rest mattresses as well as passenger seat cushions
and seat backs and is commercially available from Supracor
Inc.
Features
Material: highly resilient Elastollan TPU
Structure: fusion-bonded elastomeric
honeycomb
(no adhesives or solvents)
 Service temperature: -54 to 120 °C
(-65 to 250 °F)
 Excellent hydrolytic stability
 Resistant to fungus and microorganisms
 Lightweight
 Low profile (thin footprint)
 Meets Fire, Smoke, and Toxicity (FST)
requirements


Benefits
ffords unique level of sitting comfort
A
Does not absorb moisture
 Enables space savings
 Washable
 Recyclable


For more information on BASF Aerospace Materials:
aerospace.materials@basf.com
www.aerospace.basf.com
Specialty Seating
Made from fusion-bonded TPU honeycomb, more than 90%
of Stimulite’s cellular matrix is open space which makes it a
resilient, lightweight material that has “memory”. On account
of an optimally designed strength-to-weight ratio, it provides
uniform weight distribution and a unique level of comfort for
the passenger - at a fraction of the thickness of conventional
foam cushions.
Perforations in the cell walls circulate air and evaporate
moisture, creating the ideal microclimate for long-term sitting
comfort. And to further promote well being, the cells flex with
movement for a massaging effect while their “footprint”
enhances blood flow, combating the numbness that can occur
when sitting for long durations.
TPU-based material
Unlike foam, Stimulite is anisotropic having three different
degrees of resistance or “flex” in its length (“L” direction), width
(“W” direction) and vertically against the surface (“T” direction).
This enables it to absorb energy or impact from different
angles and to contour and self-adjust to any shape. When
sitting on a fusion-bonded honeycomb cushion, the cells flex
and radiate outward surrounding the anatomy, providing a
unique level of comfort.
The polyether-based Elastollan TPU that makes up Stimulite’s
honeycomb “scaffolding” imparts properties typical for that
material class, such as high resilience and durability, excellent
hydrolytic stability and resistance to fungus and microbial
growth. In contrast to certain foam products, Stimulite will not
absorb moisture over time and is completely recyclable.
Elastollan TPU-based fusion-bonded honeycomb is compliant
with the industry’s FST standards.
For more information on BASF Aerospace Materials:
aerospace.materials@basf.com
www.aerospace.basf.com
Aerospace applications
Engineering and mechanical properties
Due to its lightweight and high performance, Stimulite is
recognized by the US military where it is specified as the
material in the ejection seat cushion for fighter jets and multiple
types of rotorcraft, including the H60 Black Hawk helicopter
and V22 Osprey. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 long
range aircraft feature flexible fusion-bonded mattresses in the
crew rests.
The mechanical properties of fusion-bonded honeycomb are
controlled by the physical properties of the TPU, cell diameter,
wall gauge (thickness of the cell wall), core thickness and
facings applied to the core. Alternating one or more of these
specifications will produce different performance
characteristics. Stimulite honeycomb can be engineered to be
a specific weight, absorb a specific load, rebound at a specific
rate and possess the flexibility or stiffness required by the end
application.
Stimulite can be engineered to meet specific requirements,
including custom contours and profiles.
Regulatory compliance
Stimulite seat cushions are compliant with the FST
requirements set forth in 14 CFR Part 25 and corresponding
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications.
The Elastollan TPU materials used for its manufacture are
based on non-halogenated flame retardant technology.
Economy Seat & Back –
short haul
Economy Seat & Back –
long haul
Seat Thickness: 0.75" / 1.91 cm
Back Thickness: 0.5" / 1.27 cm
Thickness: 1" / 2.54 cm
Business Class Seat & Back –
short haul
Business Class Seat & Back –
short haul
Seat Thickness: 2.5" / 6.35 cm
Back Thickness: 1" / 2.54 cm
Seat Thickness: 2.5" / 6.35 cm
Back Thickness: 1.5" / 3.81 cm
For more information on BASF Aerospace Materials:
aerospace.materials@basf.com
www.aerospace.basf.com
BASF Corporation
Aerospace Team
100 Campus Drive
Florham Park, NJ 07932
E‐mail: aerospace.materials@basf.com
PROPERTY
UNITS
TEST RESULT
Tensile Strength
(ultimate)
psi/MPa
6,000 psi/41 MPa
Compression —
deflection stress
psi
1.46
1.45
1.65
1.83
2.04
2.32
2.85
3.32
10% deflection
20% deflection
30% deflection
40% deflection
50% deflection
60% deflection
70% deflection
75% deflection
gr/cm3
(lbs/cu ft)*
1.14 (TPU film/resin only):
.040 oz/in3
*Providing support at 1" thickness or
less, density as shown in oz/in3
(ST7506FR.25 cell,
1" thick)
Density
(ST7506FR.25 cell,
1" thick)
REMARKS
ASTM D412
Durability under
fatigue
1,000 cycles
8,000 cycles
24 hour recovery time
% loss in
return force @
40% deflection
1.72 PSI 6.07% reduction
1.53 PSI 16.34% reduction
1.65 PSI 9.8% reduction
no thickness change
.001“ thickness change
no thickness change
80,000 cycles
24 hour recovery time
loss in
thickness
1.56 PSI 14.76% reduction
1.67 PSI 8.8% reduction
.008“ thickness change
.008“ thickness change
Other properties:
Toxicity
ASTM D3574
Method C
ASTM D3574
Method 1.3
(dynamic force
pounding)
(ST7506FR.25 cell, 1” thick)
Peel strength of node bonds
Continuous service temp.
Melting point
Humidity aging resistance
Fuel & oil resistance
UV resistance
Ozone resistance
Flammability
TEST METHOD
lbs/in
°C (°F)
°C (°F)
For thickness of .010, exceeded film strength
-51 to 93 (-60 to 200)
176 to 198 (350–390)
excellent (polyether resin)
excellent
good to excellent
excellent
12 second Vertical Burn Test — pass
14CFR 25.853(a), Appendix F,
Part I, (a)(I)(II) — pass
AB00031, AITM 3.0005 — pass
180° peel @ 23°C
ASTM D903
D3574 Method J
D3574 Method K
(22 hrs @ 140°C)
film/resin property
film/resin property
film/resin property
film/resin property
film/resin property
Important: The above information is believed to be reliable, but is not to be construed as a warranty or representation for which we assume liability or any other
legal responsibility. Users should undertake sufficient verification and testing to determine the suitability for their own particular purpose of any information or
products referred to above. NO WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, IS MADE. The foregoing may not be changed except by an agreement signed by an officer of the seller.
Elastollan is a trademark of BASF.
Stimulite is a trademark of Supracor.
www.aerospace.basf.com
Although all statements and information in this
publication are believed to be accurate and reliable,
they are presented gratis and for guidance only, and
risks and liability for results obtained by use of the
products or application of the suggestions described
are assumed by the user. NO WARRANTIES OF ANY
KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE MADE
REGARDING PRODUCTS DESCRIBED OR
DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION SET FORTH.
Statements or suggestions concerning possible use of
the products are made without representation or
warranty that any such use is free of patent
infringement and are not recommendations to infringe
any patent. The user should not assume that toxicity
data and safety measures are indicated or that other
measures may not be required. © 2013 BASF