Hexcel will demonstrate its latest aerospace solutions at ILA Berlin from June 5-9, including the recently launched HexTow IM9 24K tow size fibre for manufacturers seeking to maximise production efficiency in primary and secondary aerospace structures.

HexTow IM9 24K results in increased tensile strength in composites and offers increased fibre line throughput and productivity. It builds on the proven legacy of Hexcel intermediate modulus aerospace fibres when compared to other commercially available 12K fibres.

Hexcel will also present customer solutions developed with HexPly prepreg materials, including an aileron demonstrator developed by Turkish Aerospace for Airbus. The part uses Hexcel HexPly M21E with HexTow IMA carbon fibre in a press moulding process to reduce cycle time compared to autoclave parts and allow manufacturers to work with existing qualified prepreg systems.

Also on show will be thermoplastic solutions co-developed with Arkema, highlighting the cost and time reduction benefits that this out-of-autoclave technology can offer for high-rate composite production. A new HAICoPAS project demonstrator panel manufactured using new thermoplastic and carbon fibre materials targets the low-cost assembly of structural aerospace parts.

The HAICoPAS project has involved Hexcel, Arkema, Ingecal, Coriolis Composites, Pinette Emidecau Industries, Institut de Soudure and CNRS laboratories. Lightweight structural thermoplastic composite parts made of HexPly UD tape with Kepstan PEKK/HexTow carbon were produced and then assembled using newly-developed welding technology. The demonstrator panel has been made in collaboration with an industrial committee including Airbus, Safran, Daher, Hutchinson and ATC.

In addition, Hexcel continues to develop its offering for future energy applications and will showcase its latest carbon fibre and towpreg materials that enable a transition to lower environmental impact transport. Hexcel hot melt towpreg materials take a first step in reducing environmental footprint, focusing on performance optimisation and an overall reduction in composite material usage.

www.hexcel.com