SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Ultem* Resin Composite Gives Crane Stellar Performance, Rapid Thermoforming for New Composite Aerospace Board

Published Sep 20, 2010

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Sept. 20, 2010 — At the Aircraft Interiors Expo Americas, Sept. 14-16, 2010, SABIC Innovative Plastics have launched a new breakthrough technology for semi-structural aircraft interior parts featuring its high-flying Ultem* polyetherimide (PEI) resin. New Ultem composite aerospace board (CAB) sheets, co-developed and manufactured with Crane & Co., the global leader in specialty paper, provide a superior alternative to thermoset aramid fiber-reinforced honeycomb composites. The Ultem CAB sheets can be quickly thermoformed, offer a broad range of high-performance properties, are recyclable, and offer great potential to be refurbished with a newly developed decorative film layer while still meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements to extend useful life. The sheets are currently being trialed by a major airline. Together with the expertise of Crane, SABIC Innovative Plastics has launched yet another technology that delivers a cost-effective solution to the global aircraft industry.