Polyimide Foam
Polyimide Foam (PMD) is a lightweight, non-wicking, thermal and acoustic insulation foam with a density of 0.44 lb/ft³ per ASTM D3574 (Test A) / ISO 845, available in 1/2″ thickness in Light Yellow. Maximum continuous use temperature is 400°F, thermal conductivity at 75°F is 0.32 btu/(h·ft²·°F) per ASTM C518, and smoke developed index in flaming and non-flaming modes is <5 per ASTM E662. The material meets Boeing BMS 8-300, Boeing (Douglas) DMS 2330, Bombardier BAMS 544-006, Hamilton Sundstrand HS 14190, Lockheed Martin LAC 23-4831, and ASTM C1482, and passes FAR 25.856 (a).
Key Properties
- Density: 0.44 lb/ft³ (ASTM D3574 Test A, ISO 845)
- Maximum Continuous Use Temperature: 400°F
- Smoke Developed Index Flaming & Non-Flaming Modes: <5 (ASTM E662)
- Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC), 1 in: 0.75 (ASTM C423 / ASTM E795, Mounting A)
- Offgassing/Outgassing TMI: <1.0% (ASTM E595)
- Thermal Conductivity @ 75°F: 0.32 btu/(h·ft²·°F) (ASTM C518)
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- Specifications
- Applications
- General Info
- FAQs
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Thickness | 1/2″ | — |
| Color | Light Yellow | — |
| Material / Substrate | Polyimide Foam | — |
| Density | 0.44 lb/ft³ | ASTM D3574 (Test A), ISO 845 |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Maximum Continuous Use Temperature | 400°F | — |
| Thermal Conductivity @ 75°F | 0.32 btu/(h·ft²·°F) | ASTM C518 |
Flame & Fire Performance
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Smoke Developed Index Flaming & Non-Flaming Modes | <5 | ASTM E662 |
| FAR 25.856 (a) — FAA Radiant Panel | Pass | — |
| Flame Retardant | Yes | — |
Acoustic / Optical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC), 1 in | 0.75 | ASTM C423 |
| Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC), 1 in | 0.75 | ASTM E795, Mounting A |
Outgassing
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Offgassing/Outgassing TMI | <1.0% | ASTM E595 |
| Offgasing/Outgassing CVCM | <0.1% | ASTM E595 |
Regulatory / Compliance Data
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| ASTM C1482 | Yes | — |
| Boeing BMS 8-300 | Yes | — |
| Boeing (Douglas) DMS 2330 | Yes | — |
| Bombardier BAMS 544-006 | Yes | — |
| Hamilton Sundstrand HS 14190 | Yes | — |
| Lockheed Martin LAC 23-4831 | Yes | — |
Compliance
- FAR 25.856 (a) — Compliant (FAA Radiant Panel, Pass)
- ASTM C1482 — Compliant (Yes)
- Boeing BMS 8-300 — Compliant (Yes)
- Boeing (Douglas) DMS 2330 — Compliant (Yes)
- Bombardier BAMS 544-006 — Compliant (Yes)
- Hamilton Sundstrand HS 14190 — Compliant (Yes)
- Lockheed Martin LAC 23-4831 — Compliant (Yes)
- Aircraft fuselage, under-floor, and ECS duct thermal and acoustic insulation requiring FAR 25.856 (a) compliance and Boeing, Bombardier, Hamilton Sundstrand, and Lockheed Martin specification qualification
- Aerospace equipment insulation requiring outgassing TMI <1.0% and CVCM <0.1% per ASTM E595 in a formaldehyde-free, non-wicking foam
- Oven and vent duct insulation requiring a maximum continuous use temperature of 400°F with smoke developed index <5 in both flaming and non-flaming modes
- Sound damping and acoustic absorption applications requiring NRC = 0.75 at 1 inch thickness in a lightweight, die-cuttable foam
- Aerospace and industrial insulation programs requiring the base polyimide foam without adhesive or foil facing where field application of adhesive or facing is handled separately
Common industries: Aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, defense, industrial ovens, HVAC.
PMD Polyimide Foam is a lightweight, non-wicking, thermal and acoustic insulation foam used in applications where low fire, toxicity, and smoke generation are critical.
Available in 1/2″ thickness, it is designed for aircraft and aerospace applications including aircraft fuselage insulation, under-floor insulation, ECS ducts, and equipment insulation, as well as oven insulation, vent duct insulation, sound damping, and acoustic absorption applications requiring maximum continuous use temperature performance up to 400°F.
The material emits virtually no smoke or toxic by-products when exposed to open flame and provides excellent long-term stability under humid conditions and after temperature cycling. It is formaldehyde free and easily die-cut.
PMD meets the core aerospace insulation specifications: Boeing BMS 8-300, Boeing (Douglas) DMS 2330, Bombardier BAMS 544-006, Hamilton Sundstrand HS 14190, Lockheed Martin LAC 23-4831, and ASTM C1482, and passes FAR 25.856 (a) FAA Radiant Panel. Outgassing TMI is <1.0% and CVCM is <0.1% per ASTM E595, supporting NASA and aerospace programs with stringent outgassing requirements.
NRC at 1 inch thickness is 0.75 per both ASTM C423 and ASTM E795 Mounting A. This grade does not include a pressure-sensitive adhesive or aluminum foil facing — it is the base polyimide foam only.
Compliant with FAR 25.856 (a) (FAA Radiant Panel, Pass), ASTM C1482 (Yes), Boeing BMS 8-300 (Yes), Boeing (Douglas) DMS 2330 (Yes), Bombardier BAMS 544-006 (Yes), Hamilton Sundstrand HS 14190 (Yes), and Lockheed Martin LAC 23-4831 (Yes).
What differentiates PMD Polyimide Foam from the PMD360 and PMD360AF grades?
PMD is the base polyimide foam without any adhesive or aluminum foil facing. PMD360 adds a rubber PSA (SLM360) on a 60# densified kraft backing for single-sided adhesive bonding. PMD360AF adds both the rubber PSA and an aluminum foil facing. All three grades share the same foam core properties: 0.44 lb/ft³ density, 400°F maximum continuous use temperature, NRC 0.75, smoke index <5, outgassing TMI <1.0%, and the same aerospace compliance suite. The PMD base foam is the appropriate selection when adhesive will be applied separately in fabrication or when an adhesive-free configuration is required by the application.
Why are thermal conductivity and smoke density important for a polyimide foam used in aerospace insulation?
Thermal conductivity determines how effectively the foam resists heat transfer through the aircraft structure — a lower value means better insulation performance per unit thickness. At 0.32 btu/(h·ft²·°F) per ASTM C518, PMD provides meaningful thermal resistance at its 1/2" standard thickness. Smoke density in both flaming and non-flaming modes per ASTM E662 is the critical fire safety measurement for aircraft cabin insulation — a <5 smoke developed index confirms that the material contributes virtually no visual obscuration to the cabin environment in the event of fire, which is directly linked to passenger evacuation safety and regulatory compliance under FAR 25.856.
What is the maximum continuous use temperature for PMD Polyimide Foam?
The maximum continuous use temperature is 400°F as listed on the TDS.
Is PMD Polyimide Foam suitable for regulated aerospace environments?
Yes. PMD passes FAR 25.856 (a) (FAA Radiant Panel) and meets Boeing BMS 8-300, Boeing (Douglas) DMS 2330, Bombardier BAMS 544-006, Hamilton Sundstrand HS 14190, Lockheed Martin LAC 23-4831, and ASTM C1482, as listed on the TDS.
How should PMD Polyimide Foam be specified?
Specify grade (PMD), thickness (1/2"), color (Light Yellow), applicable compliance requirements (FAR 25.856(a), Boeing BMS 8-300, Boeing Douglas DMS 2330, Bombardier BAMS 544-006, Hamilton Sundstrand HS 14190, Lockheed Martin LAC 23-4831, ASTM C1482), dimensional tolerances, and finished format (sheet or die-cut component). Note this grade contains no adhesive or aluminum foil.
