TeXtreme Gapped UD is a new dry carbon reinforcement material designed for resin infusion composites processes that will be introduced by Sweden’s Oxeon AB at the JEC World exhibition in Paris from April 25-27.

The flat, unidirectional reinforcement material includes well-controlled 0.3 mm gaps between the fibre tows which serve as resin and air evacuation channels, allowing for fast and uniform wetting out of the material without compromising its mechanical properties. With a fibre volume fraction of over 60%, TeXtreme Gapped UD offers mechanical properties that are consistent with UD-prepreg solutions and is designed to fit the format of standard AFP (automated fibre placement) and ATL (automated tape laying) machines used for composites manufacturing.

Key benefits are its high permeability, enabling faster wet-out over large surface areas and easy handling, cutting and preforming, leading to reduced lay-up time and less waste. The cost-effective solution also eliminates the need for cold storage.

TeXtreme Gapped UD has been specifically designed to meet the needs of customers in the aerospace, marine and industrial sectors who are seeking a cost-effective out-of-autoclave solution that offers the same high-performance as traditional prepreg materials.

In collaboration with GKN Aerospace, an engine guide vane has already been produced using TeXtreme Gapped UD and the RTM process. The monolithic guide vane is 10mm thick and consists of multiple layers of the material, achieving a fibre volume fraction of over 60%. The guide vane will be displayed at JEC World 2023.

TeXtreme thin ply spread tow reinforcements are an ideal choice for creating ultra-lightweight composites. The technology offers flexibility and independence in tow size, allowing manufacturers to develop tailored reinforcement solutions that cater to specific application needs. Lighter composite parts with a weight reduction of 20-30% can be achieved, along with superior mechanical properties and surface smoothness.

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