Product Data Sheet: CFOAM® Carbon Foams
CFOAM® is a domestically produced material offering advantages such as low cost, enhanced structural properties, fire resistance, radar cross-section, corrosion susceptibility, and low weight.
CFOAM®, developed by CFOAM LLC, is a next-generation structural carbon foam material which is inexpensive, lightweight, fire-resistant, impact-absorbing, thermally insulating or conducting, and with electrical conductivity that can be varied over seven orders of magnitude. It can be fabricated in a variety of shapes, sizes, and densities to meet the property requirements of specific applications.
CFOAM® is applicable to a broad spectrum of commercial, defense, and aerospace markets. It is an enabling technology for a host of next-generation material systems and components – replacing those currently based on more conventional materials such as balsa wood, intumescent mats, polymer matrices, metallic honeycombs, ceramic fibrous insulation, ceramic tile, Kevlar-based structures, polystyrene, plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and various metals.
Carbon foams are currently being developed for a variety of uses including fire-resistant ship decking and bulkheads, noise and impact mitigation for aircraft, structural panel and firewalls for vehicular armor, modular construction, and as part of spacecraft thermal management systems.
These foams will not off-gas at elevated temperatures and will not support ignition. Unlike those of most metals and ceramics, CFOAM®’s mechanical properties do not deteriorate with increased temperature if protected from oxidation, making carbon foams an attractive thermal protection material. Carbon foams are also tolerant to impact damage and can be repaired in-place using carbonaceous adhesives. CFOAM® can be integrated easily with dissimilar materials such as metals or polymer matrix composites (PMCs).
CFOAM® is a domestically produced material offering advantages such as low cost, enhanced structural properties, fire resistance, radar cross-section, corrosion susceptibility, and low weight.
Ease in Machining |
Composite Tooling |
Sandwich Structures
|
Property | Test Method | Touchstone CFOAM® | Unit | |
---|---|---|---|---|
20 | 30 | |||
Nominal Density |
ASTM D1622 | 20 0.32 |
30 0.48 |
lbs/ft3 g/cc |
Compressive Strength |
ASTM D365 | >1100 >7.58 |
>3200 >22.1 |
Psi MPa |
Compressive Modulus |
ASTM D365 | 90 620 |
120 830 |
Ksi MPa |
Tensile Strength |
ASTM C297 | >300 >2.2 |
>670 >4.62 |
Psi MPa |
Tensile Modulus |
ASTM C297 | 60 500 |
120 830 |
Ksi MPa |
Shear Strength |
Torsion Shear |
>190 >1.31 |
>300 >2.07 |
Psi MPa |
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion |
ASTM E228 | 2.8 5.0 |
2.8 5.0 |
ppm/°F ppm/°C |
Thermal Conductivity |
ASTM E1225 / Laser Flash Standard: Tailorable ranges: |
0.25 (RT)
RT: 0.25 |
0.30 (RT)
RT: 0.30 |
W/m- °K |
Maximum Operational Use Temperature |
Application Dependent – Extended Use |
Air: >570/>300 Inert: >5500/>3000 |
Air: >570/>300 Inert: >5500/>3000 |
°F/°C |
Electrical Resistance |
ASTM D4496 Standard Product: Tailorable from: |
2.7×10-2
1×10-3 to 1×106 |
2×10-21×10-3 to 1×106 | ohm-in |
Fire Resistance | ISO 1182 ASTM E1354, E119 IMO FTP Code Pt I & III UL1709 |
PASS | PASS | N/A |
The test data presented in this bulletin are believed by CFOAM LLC to be representative of this product. Most ASTM methods mentioned above have been modified to test CFOAM. However, the test data are not a guaranty or warranty. CFOAM LLC makes no warranty, whether expressed or implied, including warranties of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. Under no circumstances shall CFOAM LLC be liable for incidental, consequential, or other damages arising out of a claim from alleged negligence, breach of warranty, strict liability or any other theory, through the use or handling of this product or the inability to use the product. The sole liability of CFOAM LLC for any claims arising out of the manufacture, use, or sale of its products shall be for the replacement of the quantity of this product which has proven to not substantially comply with the data presented in this bulletin. Users should make their own assessment of the suitability of any product for the purposes required. The above supersedes any provision in your company’s forms, letters, or other documents.
CFOAM® is a registered trademark of CFOAM LLC.