Aerospace
Hexcel initially developed its HexMC® carbon/epoxy molding concept for industrial applications and it has enjoyed great success in replacing metal in sports equipment.  New HexMC® developments with key customers have focused on the requirements of the aerospace industry. Hexcel has succeeded in demonstrating that the technology is suitable for manufacturing aerospace-quality parts such as window frames and seat supports.  HexMC® is distinguished from other molding compounds by the high compression strength that results from the multidirectional carbon fibers and epoxy matrix.  Mechanical performance is almost as high as with unidirectional prepregs.

Hexcel has developed a new generation aircraft floor panel that employs all of Hexcel’s fiber, resin and core technology expertise.  Fibrelam® 2200 is an ultralight panel, providing 20% weight savings over traditional aircraft flooring panels.  Yet the lightness has been achieved with no loss of strength or stiffness.  The panel, which has carbon fiber skins and HexWeb® HRH-36 core, provides very high performance and is designed for use throughout large transport aircraft, where weight savings are crucial.

Recreation
Hexcel has launched a range of superwhite fiber glass fabrics, targeted particularly at the surfboard market, under the trademark WBKR (What Big Kahuna Rides). 
Few companies can marshal the resources, expertise and manufacturing skill necessary to produce consistent state of the art fabrics commensurate with the technical demands of today's market.  Hexcel is the benchmark weaver for aerospace, recreational, industrial and technical reinforcing fabrics in this fast moving, cost competitive market.

The new WBKR product line represents the best the fiber glass industry has to offer.  Precision woven from low iron content glass and finished with the industry standard F81 family of silanes, WBKR offers the shaper, builder and surfer the whitest, strongest and easiest to use fabric available.  Offered in a broad range of widths, weaves and weights, WBKR addresses the current demands of builders with two newly modified versions of F81.  This line yields a clean, clear, crisp fabric to the builder.  Recent modifications in equipment and processing techniques produce a more consistent whiter fabric for the trade.  Our new F86 finish is designed to provide a more compliant, softer hand for those applications where hard rails and complex nose and tail configurations require not only clarity and strength, but the ability to conform to the compound shapes with minimum laminating effort.  F86 uses the same silane chemistry as its crisper older brother, F81.  Whiteness, strength and speed of wet through are now available for those situations where additional softness is an asset.

Continuing the Recreation theme, Hexcel will display Trek’s Madone SL 5.9, a bike ridden by Lance Armstrong during the Tour de France 2004, on his way to a record sixth Tour de France victory.  Trek has progressively lowered the wheel and frame weight by reducing the weight of the individual prepreg plies -from 150gsm, to 120gsm, then 110gsm culminating in only 55gsm.  Hexcel has continually provided Trek with new products that reduce weight while pushing the performance edge.

Hexcel customer, Blatchford, is helping amputees to participate in sports and leisure activities with greater freedom and comfort.  Central to Blatchford's product portfolio is the range of prosthetics known as the Endolite System. Using carbon fiber composite materials, elastomers and smart electronics; Endolite provides sophisticated but practical solutions to the needs of lower limb amputees. Products range from simple comfortable feet for low activity wearers to dynamic knees and feet for people who take part in sport or have highly active careers.

A new addition to the Endolite range is the Elite® all terrain foot, which will be displayed on Hexcel’s booth at SAMPE.  The Elite foot has an innovative twin-toe design which adapts and conforms to rough and smooth surfaces with optimised energy return.  It has a Tri-pod system providing effective propulsion and controlled stability on all terrain and an e-carbon heel providing active, responsive shock absorption and forward progression.  The high impact/high activity version of the Elite foot enables amputees to partake in activities that include rapid walking over uneven terrain, plus sports and work activities that may include high impact aerobics, running and lifting heavy objects.
Hexcel’s HexPly® 920 prepreg is used to manufacture the foot and the tube.  The foot is compression molded and the tube is made using the bladder molding technique.  The heel is manufactured with HexPly® 913 glass and HexPly® 920 carbon prepregs.  HexPly® 920 is the preferred prepreg because it provides the high level of toughness required.  Hexcel is proud to have been a supplier to Blatchford for over 25 years.
Reinforcements
Hexcel has responded to the limited availability of lightweight 3K carbon reinforcements by developing an alternative line of 200 and 300 gsm fabrics based on 12K flat tows.  These products are available, at both weights, in twill and plain weave styles, at widths of 127cm (50").

In addition to these flat tow products, Hexcel is introducing a 200gsm biaxial (0°/90°) reinforcement based on NC2 technology, which allows light or heavy tows to be used, bringing a new solution to the marketplace.

Both reinforcement types will be promoted at SAMPE, along with the Texalium® range of glass fabrics for cosmetic applications. 

End

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:  Doreen Holmes (USA)
Tel : (925) 551 4900 x4428
Doreen.Holmes@hexcel.com

Contact:  Rachel Atkinson (UK)
Tel : 44 (0)1223 838475
Rachel.Atkinson@hexcel.com