Polyimide Insulation Blanket Covering Film: Pros

ORCON Corporation provides complete nose-to-tail thermal/acoustic insulation solutions to meet the requirements of the FAA Rule on Improved Flammability for Thermal/Acoustic Insulation Materials used in Transport Category Airplanes (FAA 2000-7909). When it comes to the choice of the insulation blanket covering film for the insulation kit, both polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) and polyimide film options are available. Both covering film options meet the latest flame propagation requirements and pass the Radiant Panel Test. However, ORCON strongly believes that polyimide should be considered as a material of choice for the thermal/acoustic insulation of aircraft.

Please consider the following:

1.  The polyimide covering film mechanism for passing the Radiant Panel Test is that it doesn't burn – the only damage to the covering film on the test blanket is a penetration and surrounding char from the propane torch ignition source. While the Tedlar® (PVF) covering film passes the RPT by shrinking away from the heat source - it may suggest that the covering film may burn if restrained in place.

2.  The polyimide covering film proved to be very durable in service, which means less damage to the thermal/acoustic insulation blankets during periodic checks, and, as a result, longer operational life.

3.  The polyimide covering film does not usually create any additional weight penalty compared to the Tedlar® covering film option. In most cases, weights of both materials are the same.

4.  Though the polyimide covering film substrate is considerably more expensive than Tedlar®, the cost of the finished thermal/acoustic insulation blanket is normalized since the fabrication cost is the same for any covering film. The resulting price difference between the polyimide and the Tedlar® covering film options for the nose-to-tail shipset usually does not exceed 15-20%.