Asahi Kasei develops the world’s first polyamide beads foam – Perfect for noise reduction and lightweight applications in the automotive industry | NewsLIGHT #15 | Asahi Kasei

With the ongoing disruptive megatrends in the automotive industry, the automotive OEMs and suppliers are facing a strong innovation pressure. New, innovative solutions to reduce CO₂ emissions and the emitting noise level are in high demand. Asahi Kasei’s newly developed polyamide beads foam offers unique possibilities for both lightweight and noise reducing applications.

Asahi Kasei is one of only four fully integrated polyamide manufacturers worldwide – and is able to produce PA 6.6 completely from monomer to compound. Based on this expertise, the company is currently developing the PA Foam, a foam material based on polyamide beads – the first of its kind worldwide. It is offering solutions to both aforementioned challenges in the automotive industry – stiffness, mechanical strength and heat resistance for use in structural lightweight applications of cars, and noise reducing characteristics.

© Asahi Kasei

© Asahi Kasei

The PA Foam features the typical heat, chemical and oil resistant properties of polyamide, mixed with an outstanding rigidity or noise reducing quality – depending on the shape of the beads. PA Foam consisting of round-shaped beads features a strong rigidity, making it a promising alternative material for aluminum and metal in structural applications.

PA Foam with a C- or macaroni-shape provides noise insulation in addition to the typical polyamide properties. Possible applications can be found everywhere around the car, especially in the engine compartment, where the material can unfold its unique qualities. Used for engine covers, it does not only contribute to lightweight, but also significantly reduces the radiating engine noise, making the car quieter in total.