PMI Foam: Multi-field Application Prospects

As a representative of high-performance closed-cell foam, PMI foam uses imide ring segments to construct its core structure, possessing high specific strength, high heat resistance, low dielectric constant, and environmental stability. With a density of only about 70 kg/m³, it can withstand creep at 180℃ and maintain stable performance at liquid hydrogen temperatures of -253℃. These characteristics are driving its application breakthroughs in multiple fields.

Wind power and new energy sectors are the core engines of PMI foam demand growth. The global PMI foam market is projected to expand at an average annual growth rate of 13.89%, with wind turbine blade sandwich materials being a key driver. When combined with glass fiber, it adapts to the trend of larger blades, significantly reducing blade weight while greatly improving fatigue resistance and structural stability, directly contributing to the upgrading of wind power generation efficiency. In the new energy vehicle sector, its lightweight and high-strength characteristics are gradually being applied to battery pack structural components, providing reliable protection and support for the battery while reducing the overall weight of the vehicle body, indirectly improving vehicle range and meeting the lightweight development needs of new energy vehicles.

The application potential of PMI foam in building energy conservation and packaging is being rapidly realized. Under the trend of green building, the excellent thermal insulation performance of PMI foam makes it an ideal material for passive energy-saving buildings. It can be used in wall linings and roof insulation layers to block heat exchange between indoors and outdoors, reducing building energy consumption. Simultaneously, its combination of compressive strength and cushioning makes it stand out in the packaging field. It can be used for transport packaging of instruments and electronic equipment, providing stable protection for products during transportation and reducing the risk of collision damage.

The application scenarios in rail transit and medical fields continue to expand. In 2023, the demand for PMI foam in the Chinese market reached 36,200 cubic meters, maintaining a growth rate of 18.9%. In high-speed train bodies and interior linings, its dual functions of thermal insulation and structural support are fully utilized, improving the comfort of the carriage environment while reducing the weight of the train body and optimizing the energy efficiency of train operation. In the medical field, its properties make it a preferred material for CT scanner bed plates. Its closed-cell structure adapts to the high-frequency sterilization requirements of medical settings, effectively preventing performance degradation due to repeated sterilization, thus expanding its application range.

The expansion into the civilian market adds resilience to PMI foam's growth. In the sports equipment sector, its ease of processing and lightweight advantages make it widely used in surfboards, skis, and other products, helping athletes improve equipment control. Its excellent acoustic properties also allow it to be used in audio component manufacturing, optimizing sound transmission.

From new energy equipment to construction and daily life, PMI foam is breaking through application boundaries with its diverse properties, becoming a key material driving the lightweight, high-performance, and green upgrading of the manufacturing industry.