31. March 2023Aero, Aerospace, Exhibitions, Industrial, Marine, TeXtreme
TeXtreme®, a global leader in thin ply spread tow carbon fiber materials, has announced the launch of their latest innovation, TeXtreme® Gapped UD, a dry carbon reinforcement material designed for resin infusion processes. It is a groundbreaking product that offers superior performance, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness for a range of applications.
TeXtreme® Gapped UD is a flat, unidirectional reinforcement material that includes well-controlled 0,3 mm gaps between the fiber tows. These gaps serve as resin and air evacuation channels, allowing for fast and uniform wetting out of the material without compromising its mechanical properties. With a fiber volume fraction of over 60%, TeXtreme® Gapped UD offers mechanical properties that are consistent with UD-prepreg solutions.
The TeXtreme® Gapped UD material is designed to fit the format of standard AFP and ATL machines used for composite manufacturing.
In addition to providing UD-prepreg performance, TeXtreme® Gapped UD offers the following benefits:
- High permeability, enabling fast wet-out over large surface areas
- A cost-effective solution that eliminates the need for cold storage and short-term considerations
- Easy handling, cutting, and preforming, leading to reduced lay-up time and less waste
Market and Applications
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.
Proof of concept
In collaboration with GKN Aerospace, Innovatum Science Park and Produktionstekniskt Centrum, PTC (Trollhättan, Sweden) with financing support from Tillväxtverket (The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth) and Västra Götalandsregionen,in the project REACT PTC, an aerospace engine guide vane has been produced using TeXtreme® Gapped UD and RTM process. The monolithic guide vane is 10 mm thick and consists of multiple layers of TeXtreme® Gapped UD, achieving a fiber volume fraction of over 60%.
This guide vane will be displayed at JEC World 2023 in the TeXtreme® booth.
TeXtreme® Gapped UD Products
TeXtreme® Gapped UD is available in a variety of sizes and fiber weights, including ¼”, ½”, 1”, 1.5”, 2”, 12”, 24”, and 50” UD formats using carbon fiber, with other fibers available upon request. The material can be supplied in fiber areal weights (FAW) from 100 gsm to 400 gsm.
The product is also available in woven 0/90 and woven +/-45 formats. The woven format is supplied in FAW from 200 to 800 gsm, in a 1-meter width.
TeXtreme® @ JEC World 2023
At TeXtreme®, we are proud to present this breakthrough product at JEC World 2023, showcasing our commitment to innovation and excellence in carbon fiber materials.
For more information on TeXtreme® Gapped UD and to learn how it can benefit your business, please visit us at booth no. F19 in hall 6 at JEC World 2023, or visit our website at textreme.com.
TeXtreme® Gapped UD
Diversity of TeXtreme® Gapped UD
Aerospace engine guide vane made with TeXtreme® Gapped UD in collaboration with GKN Aerospace
Composite fan case containing guide vanes. Image credit: GKN Aerospace
About TeXtreme®
TeXtreme® Thin Ply Spread Tow reinforcements are an ideal choice for creating ultra-lightweight composites. TeXtreme® Technology offers flexibility and independence in tow size, allowing manufacturers to develop tailored reinforcement solutions that cater to specific application needs. Utilization of TeXtreme® Spread Tow carbon fabrics and carbon UD tapes by advanced aerospace, industrial, and sports product manufacturers confirms that lighter composite parts, with a weight reduction of 20-30%, can be achieved, while delivering superior mechanical properties and surface smoothness.
Oxeon AB, the owner of the registered trademark TeXtreme®, has been a market leader in Spread Tow Thin Ply Reinforcements since 2003, providing high-quality products under the TeXtreme® brand name.
Press contact and other inquiries:
Andreas Martsman
0046 70 578 14 76
andreas.martsman@textreme.com
