PEI particle foams for applications in aviation interiors

Polyetherimide (PEI)-based polymer foams comply with the statutory requirements on interiors in aviation demanded by the aviation industry. The requirements concerning fire behaviour, resistance to media and mechanical strength in particular represent significant challenges. Suitable polymer foams are produced as semi-finished products in the prior art. Post-processing into shaped parts is uneconomic in terms of time and the use of material, because of the large volumes of cutting waste, for instance. The invention solves this problem in that the material that is, in principle, suitable can be processed into particle-foam shaped parts. Said shaped parts can be produced without post-processing in short cycle times and hence economically. Furthermore, new options arise for function integration, such as the direct foam moulding of inserts, etc., and in respect of design freedom.