Hexcel to Present Innovations in Composite Materials at SAMPE Asia 2012

Hexcel will highlight its innovations in composite materials for key market sectors, including: HexTOOL composite tooling material provides many benefits compared to conventional tooling prepregs and Invar. HexTOOL can be machined without distortion, allowing complex shaped tools to be manufactured to tight tolerances that maintain vacuum integrity. With a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that matches carbon/epoxy composites, HexTOOL is lighter than metal tooling, allowing easier handling and reduced infrastructure investment. HexTOOL provides fast heat-up and cool down rates relative to metal tools, leading to reduced production costs. It can be repaired and modified to accommodate design changes.

HexTOOL is available with BMI or epoxy resin systems. The BMI version, HexTOOL M61, is capable of withstanding over 800 thermo-cycles at 350°F/180°C and provides superior resistance to micro-cracking during thermo-cycling. The epoxy version, HexTOOL M81, is designed for 250°F/120°C curing parts and cures in 6 hours at 260°F/125 C, followed by a post cure of 2 hours at 400°F/205°C (shorter cure times are possible at higher temperatures).

HexMC parts are manufactured by Hexcel using a new product form of composite material which is derived from established aerospace industry high strength carbon fiber/epoxy tape. Hundreds of HexMC parts have been certified for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner including Brackets, Fittings, Gussets, Clips/Cleats, Intercostals and Pans. HexMC offers low density, with good strength and stiffness properties, enabling complex shapes that would previously have had to be machined or forged from metal to be manufactured in composites in cost-effective series production. HexMC parts provide weight savings that are comparable to those achieved with aerospace carbon/epoxy prepregs.

Hexcels broadband noise reducing Acousti-Cap technology enables aircraft engine designers to achieve superior acoustical performance without a structural weight penalty. Acousti-Cap consists of a permeable cap material embedded into a metallic or non-metallic honeycomb to create an acoustic septum. Customers specify the flow resistance characteristics, overall core thickness, number of caps in a cell and insertion depth. The result is a product tuned to their acoustic requirements.

PrimeTex is a new range of carbon fabrics which have been processed for a smooth weave with a high degree of closure with outstanding visual quality. In the patented PrimeTex process the fiber tows are spread in both the warp and weft direction providing a more uniform weave and a thinner, more closely woven fabric that leads to better mechanical properties and less porosity in a laminate.

Hexcel will also demonstrate the many benefits that composites bring to wind blade design and construction, promoting a special range of materials for wind blade spars, spar caps, shells, root, nacelle and moulds.

Hexcels new SuperCap heavy UD carbon fiber/epoxy prepregs have been developed specifically for thick critical blade structures such as spars and spar caps. The laminate quality achieved with SuperCap is very high due to the use of Hexcels patented Grid Technology where the grid assists in removing air during vacuum bag process and ensures that the void content in the final unidirectional carbon laminate is very low. This gives superior mechanical performance, translating carbon fibre modulus into laminate modulus.

SAMPE Asia 2012 will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 21-22 February 2012.

Source: Hexcel