COMFORT
DESIGN SERVICE
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
174 MARCH 2020
Extra-rigid foam
Cellular materials technology
expert, Zotefoams, is preparing
to premiere its latest closedcell
OSU grade foam, Zotek F
OSU XR, as the company
extends its High-Performance
Product (HPP) line.
This latest polyvinylidene
fluoride (PVDF) foam, is
an extra-rigid closed-cell
crosslinked foam available in
densities of 120 and 150kg/m3.
Complementing the flexible,
semi-rigid and rigid grades
already available in the Zotek F
OSU range, the introduction of
XR extends Zotefoams’ scope
of application in aircraft
interiors. Zotek F is already
used by aircraft manufacturers
for window seals, soft-touch
trim, close-outs, insulation,
carpet underlay and
environmental control systems
due to its light weight, ease of
processing and its frequent
suitability as a replacement
for composite materials.
“With the introduction of the
XR grade, we are extending
the weight-saving benefits of
the Zotek F OSU range to
locations such as the interior
of seat pods, stowage lockers,
rigid armrests and tray tables,
while reducing weight by
as much as 70% on a like-
for-like basis,” says James
Bridges, director of highperformance
products
at Zotefoams.
Grades of Zotek F can be
laminated together to create
a single material that is rigid
on one side and soft/flexible
on the other, and can be
formed into curves and
complex shapes. The potential
weight savings that can be
achieved through replacing
solid thermoplastic and silicon
components with Zotek F are
also attractive.
Zotek F features in this
year’s Crystal Cabin Awards
as part of the submission
by MGR Foamtex. Its
MGRSoftWall NextGen ‘soft
touch’ cabin panels feature
dual-density foam from
Zotefoams that is claimed to
reduce weight by up to 60%,
translating to savings of up
to 100kg per aircraft.
This year will see Aerofoam
Industries launch its Comfort
Design Service for airlines,
designers and seating OEMs
looking to achieve maximum
passenger comfort.
In the case of a new seat
platform, the process starts
with an expert evaluation of the
actual seating structure, either
at Aerofoam’s headquarters in
California, remotely out in the
field, or electronically through
modelling. The seat structure
is then reviewed, as well
as its built-in
ergonomics and
movements, if
applicable, while
taking in all
required dimensions. The next
step is to produce the first set
of trial cushions using foam
materials and to begin the
on-seat evaluation using
a proven process.
With an existing or in-service
seat the process begins with
evaluation of the current
cushions and dress covers,
and the team then quickly
determines what can be done
to achieve maximum passenger
comfort. These calculated
comfort gains are then
validated through
a series of human
factor checks.
Read more
about Aerofoam
in our 2020
Design Showcase
issue
MGR Foamtex
worked with
Zotefoams on
a Crystal Cabin
Award 2020
entry
INTER IOR S I NNOVATION seat comfort
/aircraftinteriorsinternational.com