Hexcel is exhibiting at the Japan Aerospace show (Yokohama - 6-10 October) to reinforce its commitment to composites manufacturing in the region and promote new developments for aircraft programmes such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 7E7.
Hexcel has a significant presence in the Pacific Rim, where manufacturing facilities include a joint venture with Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc. (DIC) in a composite materials plant, located in Komatsu, Japan. Products manufactured by DIC-Hexcel Ltd include prepregs, honeycombs, laminates and panels. Hexcel has recently invested in new equipment for honeycomb expansion and prepreg slitting to provide a better service to customers in the area.
Other Hexcel joint venture manufacturing facilities in the Asia Pacific region include plants which manufacture composite structures: BHA Aero in Tianjin, China and Asian Composites in Bukit Kiyu Hitam, Malaysia. Hexcel is also well represented by sales offices in the region, from bases in Tokyo, Japan; Shanghai, China; Melbourne Australia and Bangalore, India.
At JA2004 Hexcel will promote a range of new technologies developed specifically to meet the requirements for new aerospace programmes. HexPly® M21 is tough, third generation epoxy matrix, with greater damage tolerance than second-generation aerospace systems. The toughness, particularly after high-energy impacts, has been achieved without compromising the mechanical properties of the matrix. The high residual compression strength of HexPly® M21 provides effective translation of fibre properties and demonstrates good hot-wet properties at temperatures up to 130°C. In addition to being qualified for use on A380, HexPly® M21 fully meets the requirements of BMS8-276 specification. A380 parts made from HexPly® M21 prepreg will be on display on the Hexcel stand, including a stringer manufactured by in Japan by JAMCO.
Hexcel's latest honeycomb innovation for the aerospace industry is HexWeb® HRH-36 Flexcore. This new honeycomb combines Hexcel's unique flexible cell geometry with the latest high performance core material. Constructed from Kevlar® (DuPont trademark) paper and reinforced with a high temperature resistant phenolic resin, HexWeb® HRH-36 Flexcore® provides strength retention at up to 175°C/350°F and retains its mechanical properties in a curved condition. HexWeb® HRH-36 Flexcore® also provides higher shear strengths than comparable hexagonal cores of equivalent density and can therefore give valuable weight savings for an equivalent performance. The honeycomb is readily formed into compound curvatures so some parts that could not previously be made with honeycomb can now have a sandwich construction. Cost-savings can result from the reduced scrap and labour costs when using regular hexagonal cell core. Typical applications are radomes, ducts, leading edges of wings and stabilisers.
HexMC® is Hexcel's new high performance carbon fibre/epoxy moulding compound, designed for the press moulding of composite parts. Hexcel will display at JA2004 an aircraft window frame demonstrator part moulded in HexMC®. The high carbon fibre volume content combined with aerospace qualified epoxy resins opens up opportunities for more aerospace parts to be made from composites, replacing metals. HexMC® is suitable for large volume production of complex 3D high performance parts, allowing for thickness variations, sharp angles, ribs, stiffeners and co-moulded inserts. Processing HexMC® is quick and efficient, using an automated SMC type production. There is no costly and time-consuming lay-up or scrap, and as the part is moulded into perfect shape, no finishing processes are required.
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Hexcel Corporation is a leading advanced structural materials company. It develops, manufactures and markets lightweight, high-performance reinforcement products, composite materials and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, electronics, and industrial applications.
Contact: Rachel Atkinson
Tel: +44 1223 838370
Rachel.Atkinson@hexcel-eu.com