JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #79 - March 2013 - 63

Aeronautics

HiTape® advanced reinforcements for OOA-processed aircraft primary structures

> Booth G57

At JEC Europe 2013, Hexcel will be launching the HiTape® high-performance unidirectional reinforcements, based on Hexcel’s HexTow®
carbon fibre and designed to meet the requirements for aircraft primary
structures made by cost-effective out of autoclave (OOA) vacuum
infusion or injection technology.
This new material allows dry preforms to be manufactured in a fully automated lay-up process, similar to the AFP and ATL processes widely used
for UD prepregs. The tight width tolerance of HiTape gives total control of
the automated dry preform process – and it is a waste-free operation, even
for complex structures, as the materials are placed exactly where required.
There is no need to apply pressure to consolidate the preform and remove
air as this occurs later when vacuum is applied. Aircraft structures made with HiTape demonstrate mechanical properties that are
as high as those found in parts made with the latest generation primary structure prepregs. HiTape gives particularly high compression after impact (CAI) performance. HiTape has been used to great effect by Aerocomposit for wing prototype components.
Spirit AeroSystems has also successfully used it to form the skin of the outer fan cowl for an engine nacelle. Parts from both customers will be on display at the Hexcel stand at JEC. Videos filmed at Coriolis and M Torres will also be screened, demonstrating
the speed and efficiency of the HiTape lay-up process. Hexcel supplies HiTape together with HexFlow® epoxy resins for optimum
mechanical performance and infusion/injection process parameters. Customer evaluations have demonstrated that significant
cost-savings are achievable with HiTape and the associated vacuum infusion process.

Aeronautics

The materials allow the part design to be optimised and can include the integration of functions. The automated preform process
is simplified, without any material splicing or the removal of polythene film – and very high preform lay-up outputs are achieved.
Another cost-saving benefit is that no refrigerator storage is required due to the dry nature of the reinforcements. www.hexcel.fr

LEO – Low weight
and extreme opportunities

> Booth M19

LEO® is the next evaluation step of composites, combining low
weight with the fulfilment of strict fire requirements in combination with the infusion process.
At the same time, it provides structural efficiency. As a result,
monolithic and sandwich constructions with the highest fire restricting
properties can be built.
LEO® is built up with structural layers and an added protective layer.
All types of E-glass or carbon multiaxial fabrics can be used to achieve
the required mechanical stiffness of the final part. Despite the special
treatment, the fabrics show no significant drop in mechanical properties or drapability. It is therefore possible to handle them as usual and
to calculate the performance of the part upfront. A vinyl-ester matrix
is used as non-filled infusion resin, offering benefits such as adjustable,
fast curing cycles at moderate temperature, as well as low viscosity for
the infusion process itself. A protective layer system can be applied,
such as a topcoat or gelcoat. Finally, it combines high fire resistance,
aesthetic properties and wear & tear resistance.
The product passed the following FST tests:
- Marine: IMO Res. A 653(16) / MSC Code 61(67)
Annex 1 Part 2 and Part 5
- Marine: IMO Res. A 754(18)
- Railway: BS 6853 cat. 1b and cat 2
- Railway: DIN 5510 - S4 / SR2 / ST2 + Tox acc. ISO5659-2
- Construction: EN ISO 13501 - B / S2 / do
LEO® is provided by SAERTEX as a system with all
components.
www.saertex.com
No79 March 2013 /

jec composites magazine 63

http://www.hexcel.fr http://www.thermosets.de http://www.saertex.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #79 - March 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #79 - March 2013