The Space and Defense markets have historically been innovators in the use of advanced structural materials. Advanced structural materials played a major role in the development of stealth technologies for military aircraft, and are enabling technologies for the airframes of modern military aircraft.
In the late 1970's, defense program designers began to see the benefits of light weight, strong carbon fibers in aircraft using Hexcel standard modulus AS4 carbon fibers and carbon fiber prepregs. As technology advanced and higher stiffness and strength levels were attained in the 1980's, the added advantages of these higher perfornance properties were clear. Hexcel intermediate modulus fibers (IM6 and IM7) have been the product of choice since then. Hexcel carbon fibers are essential materials for key defense programs, including V22, F22, F35, Eurofighter Typhoon, F18, and more.
Today, Space and Defense are important markets for Hexcel, that encompass not only military aircraft, but also launch vehicles for spacecraft and satellites themselves.
Hexcel carbon fibers, honeycomb core, machined core and prepregs are among the preferred raw materials for virtually all major US military aircraft programs and many European programs as well. These include the C-17 cargo craft, the F18-E/F, the F-22 tactical fighter, the V-22 vertical takeoff aircraft, the Comanche helicopter, F35 Joint Strike Fighter and, in Europe, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and Saab Gripen.
Satellites
Hexcel's 954 family of 350 F-curing toughened cyanate resin prepregs is the dominant choice of designers and fabricators of space hardware. The low moisture absorption of the 954 cyanates improves dimensional stability and outgassing performance over epoxies. Inherent toughness and microcracking resistance, high temperatures dry and wet service, lower dielectric constants, and better radiation resistance are other performance advantages versus epoxies for space, radium and structural applications. Combinations of 954 resins with ultra-high modules pitch-and PAN-based graphite fibers provide improved dimensional stability and structural performance for demanding NASA applications. Other 954 prepreg composites provide heretofore unheard-of combinations of stiffness and thermal conductivity in unidirectional laminates.
The unique environment of outer space places rigorous demands on the materials used for construction of military and commercial satellites. Severe temperature changes can cause ordinary materials to warp, expand or contract depending on temperature. By contrast, satellites are subject to relatively little risk from collision damage.
Links to:
Satellite Materials
Launchers for Satellites
Defense Aircraft
Helicopters