Aerospace promotions

Airbus delivered the first A320neo to Lufthansa on 20 January 2016. Hexcel is a major supplier of composite materials for the A320neo airframe and for both engine options, CFM International’s LEAP-1A and the PurePower PW1100G-JM from Pratt & Whitney.

At JEC World Hexcel will display the nacelle inner fixed structure (IFS) for the LEAP-1A that powers the A320neo. The IFS is manufactured by Aircelle using Hexcel’s HexPly 8552 slit tape prepreg, reinforced with HexTow AS4 carbon fibre. The A320neo also benefits from fuel-saving Sharklet wingtip devices that are manufactured by Korean Aerospace (KAL) using Hexcel’s HexPly M21 and M21E carbon fibre/epoxy prepreg.

Hexcel and Boeing celebrated the first flight of the 737 MAX 8 on 29 January 2016. The 737 MAX is powered by LEAP-1B engines from CFM International. Hexcel supplies HexTow IM7 carbon fibre for the engine fan blades and containment cases.

Automotive promotions

Hexcel will also be promoting products for the automotive industry. Hexcel’s innovative CFRP technology has been introduced in the BMW 7 Series to save weight and reinforce the metal shell of the B-pillar that will be featured on Hexcel’s stand at JEC.

Hexcel supplies BMW with preforms made of unidirectional carbon prepreg set in various orientations and combined with adhesive. The prepreg is made from Hexcel’s HexPly M77 resin system that cures in 1.5 minutes at 160°C, the company reports.

Hexcel’s CFRP solutions are used in standalone and hybrid applications to help lighten cars, reduce CO₂ and decrease fuel consumption, as well as improve performance and safety through increased strength and durability.

Wind energy promotions

Hexcel has been a leading supplier of composites for wind blade manufacture for more than 20 years and continues to develop new technologies to assist with blade design and manufacture. At JEC World, Hexcel will exhibit a wind blade section showing the various carbon and glass materials that Hexcel supplies for this industry. These include HexPly M79 prepregs optimized for low temperature cure and fast cycle times, HiMax dry non-crimp fabrics optimized for infusion technologies and Hexcel’s cured carbon products for load bearing applications.

A new product benefiting wind blade manufacturers is carbon laminate technology. Hexcel has manufactured laminates for many years for other markets including recreation (skis, snowboards) and is now expanding that technology for new applications including wind blades.

Hexcel manufactures carbon fibre laminates with an areal weight of 1500 g/m² in a range of lengths and widths. The main application for this product is for load carrying spars in wind blades that are manufactured using resin infusion processes or prepreg.

Recreation promotions

Hexcel is a leading manufacturer of composites for sports goods and has launched a new prepreg for ski manufacture, HexPly M78.1. The fast curing hot melt epoxy resin matrix is available with carbon, glass or aramid reinforcements and is designed for prepreg applications where short cycles at around 110°C are required. It cures in 7 minutes at 120°C, yet it has a long storage stability of 2 weeks at room temperature meaning there is no need for freezer storage, saving energy and time, according to the manufacturer.

HexPly M78.1 is a low tack system making it easy to handle. It is also said to provide excellent adhesion to auxiliary and core materials including aluminium, wood, thermoplastics and elastomers.

www.hexcel.com