Cabin interior fabric specialist Tapis (Booth 3667) is introducing its latest Ultraleather product developed for use in vertical applications, including aircraft seats. The material can be used with a variety of composite structures and meets all the latest FAR 25.853 requirements in terms of fire resistance, heat release and smoke density.
Ultraleather is available in a variety of custom grains, colors and finishes. The range includes the Promessa and Brisa HP, both of which have been chosen for the tough environments of airline cabins. Promessa is Tapis’s most durable version of the Ultraleather product and features enhanced stain and ink resistance, antimicrobial protection and breathability. Brisa HP is the company’s lightest material, while still delivering high durability.
Ultraleather has been in production since 1966, using custom-engineered premium grade polycarbonate resins with proprietary Takumi technology that promotes thermal comfort and neutral body temperatures regardless of climate. According to Tapis, other leather alternatives and resin composite materials, such as polyether and polyester, have a much shorter lifespan than Ultraleather, which generally weighs less than half as much as traditional leathers.
According to the manufacturer, Ultraleather is also easy to care for in service. Most stains can be removed with soap and water, and the material can be disinfected using a simple 5:1 water-to-bleach solution without damaging the grain or color. The Ultraleather Pro version of the material features even greater ink and stain resistance that is infused directly into the polyurethane resins during the manufacturing process.
New Ultrasuede
Tapis also has introduced its new Ultrasuede seat insert material, which is made from 100 percent recycled ultra-microfibers in a more energy-efficient manufacturing process. The material can be decorated with patterns using Tapis’s laser-etching technique. The process can duplicate a pattern from a photo and does not require any water or chemicals, while generating zero waste. Along with the lightweight TapiSuede material, Ultrasuede meets all current flame-retardant requirements for commercial aviation use.
Tapis is headquartered in Armonk, N.Y., and also has a facility in Dallas. The company is a qualified vendor for Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault Falcon Jet, Embraer, Gulfstream Aerospace, Duncan Aviation and Jet Aviation. Its operations are certified to AS9100 and ISO 9001 international quality system standards.
