General Plastics to Feature its FST/OSU-Compliant Rigid Foam Series, Lightweight Core Materials and Custom Molded Flyaway Parts at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2018

Polyurethane foam innovator and producer of flame-retardant, lightweighting core materials for aerospace applications will
also present its expanded production capabilities and dielectric foam series for radio-frequency applications.

Tacoma, Wash. – March 22, 2018 – General Plastics Manufacturing Company, an AS9100-certified supplier of high-performance polyurethane foam products and build-to-print parts to the aerospace industry, will exhibit in the 2018 Aircraft Interiors Expo, taking place April 10-12 in Hamburg, Germany. The company will be in booth 6A70/E with the Washington State Department of Commerce. General Plastics will highlight its lightweight, strong, and durable LAST-A-FOAM^® rigid foam series and custom components for aircraft interior applications, as well as their latest introduction, the LAST-A-FOAM^® RF-2200 Dielectric Foam Series for satellite antenna and communications applications. Visitors will be able to explore its unique materials and comprehensive in-house production capabilities that satisfy design engineers’ myriad requirements and specifications.

General Plastics’ solid track record for producing custom aircraft interior components include honeycomb panel edge close-out and foam core materials for aircraft interiors such as sandwich core for ceiling, wall, door and cabin class divider panels, stow bins, and decorative flyaway parts and edge closeouts. Expo participants will have the opportunity to see samples of finished products, including sophisticated assemblies that can be delivered ready to install.

FST/OSU-compliant foam core

The LAST-A-FOAM^®FR-3800 FST rigid foam series satisfies fire, smoke and toxicity requirements and the need for light weighting in commercial aerospace interiors. This composite core material is an ideal high-performance, low-cost replacement for expensive raw materials while addressing needs for design flexibility, safety, and physical properties. It replaces honeycomb within decorative, nonstructural panels and is an ideal substitute for decorative aluminum molded parts. In addition to their flammability and strength-to-weight properties, these halogen-free foams machine easily, bond securely with composite skins, and are thermoformable.

Custom molded parts

Samples of General Plastics’ custom molded parts will also be on-hand. These are produced from flame-retardant, self-extinguishing, self-skinning flexible polyurethane foam materials that can be shaped, textured and color-specified to accommodate customers’ requirements. Within the aerospace industry alone, these build-to-print parts serve as flight deck components, armrest pads, bin-to-bin closeout seals and header seals.

Dielectric core material

The new LAST-A-FOAM® RF-2200 Dielectric Foam Series was designed and fully characterized to provide electrically insulating, RF-transparent protection for antennas and communications systems. Its high Tg (exceeding 350º) accommodates the thermal curing processes and BMI resins typically used for composite prepregs. Further, the material remains dimensionally stable and does not absorb water, preserving its dielectric performance even under harsh conditions. The standard low densities (3, 4 and 6 pcf) are easy to machine, maneuver and process; customers may specify other densities to satisfy their particular requirements.

In-house production services

From small to large runs of specialty parts for OEM and Tier 1 and Tier 2 parts programs, General Plastics offers extensive in-house production capabilities. Its one-stop services include part and tool design to manufacture of mold tooling, 5-axis CNC machining, and production of parts through all phases to delivery, regardless of whether they are produced from molded or machined foam. Aircraft Interiors Expo attendees will have the ability to see how they can streamline their manufacturing processes and meet their schedules while removing excess costs from their supply chain. 

About General Plastics Manufacturing Company   

Tacoma, Washington-based General Plastics Manufacturing Company has been a leading innovator in the plastics industry for more than 75 years. The company develops and manufactures rigid and flexible polyurethane foam products, which include its signature LAST-A-FOAM^® brand series and build-to-print composite parts.

Directly or through its network of distributors, General Plastics serves the aerospace and defense, nuclear packaging, composite core, prototype and modeling, construction, dimensional signage, testing and marine industries. General Plastics is certified to ISO 9001:2015/AS9100D, Nadcap-accredited (AC7130 Rev. A and AC7130/1 Rev.), and meets the rigorous demands of numerous leading quality systems, which include NQA-1, Mil-I-45208A and Boeing Company D6-82479. Please visit www.generalplastics.com.