Asahi Kasei has developed the world's first foam made of polyamide beads. It can be used in automotive applications as a lightweight substitute for metals and for noise insulation.
The foam's resistance to heat, chemicals and oil can either be combined with high material rigidity or effective noise insulation.
Asahi Kasei
According to tech company Asahi Kasei, their newly developed PA Foam is the world's first foam made of polyamide beads. .Polyamide's resistance to heat, chemicals and oil makes the material particularly distinctive. Depending on the shape of the foam beads, this property can be combined with either high material rigidity or noise-insulating properties. Round foam beads, for example, can provide high rigidity, making the foam a worthy substitute for aluminium or metal in structural applications, and suitable for use in insulators, cables, spacers or other lightweight components of the battery housing in electric vehicles.
C-shaped, or 'macaroni'-shaped beads, on the other hand, will display excellent noise-dampening properties in addition to the other properties that are typical for polyamides. The material is suited to a variety of automotive applications, especially inside the engine compartment.