JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #133 - March/April 2020 - 103

Booth: Hall 6 - M31

Multi-sector

Huntsman developed two high-performance resin families matching customer performance and processability
requirements for dynamically-loaded
automotive suspension elements:
Araldite LY 3585/Aradur 3831 and Vitrox RTM 00379.
The Araldite LY 3585/Aradur 3831 epoxy resin is responding to the
market demand for improved productivity and long-term dynamic
loading under severe hot/wet conditions over incumbent materials. With more than 90-second injection capability and a cure
time as low as 5 minutes at 105°C, it is suitable for fast and robust
HP-RTM processing, allowing the efficient production of high-thickness
composite parts. The latter combined with high thermo-mechanical
properties (glass transition of 125°C) and fatigue resistance allowed the
new epoxy solution to complete a first qualification for leaf spring applications. The Vitrox RTM 00379 polyurethane resin brings processing
and property advantages over existing PU resins. Featuring a viscosity
below 100 mPa.s for a minimum of 55 seconds, it limits pressure buildup during impregnation and enables full wet-out of the dense fibre
pack. Vitrox snap cure enables a short demoulding time and the built-in
internal mould release allows fast demoulding with low tool cleaning.
Performance is also best-in-class. A glass transition temperature above
130°C, combined with tensile failure strains above 10% and a critical
energy release rate GIC that surpasses 600 J/m2, enable the production
of durable, impact- and fatigue-resistant structural parts such as leaf
springs. www.huntsman.com

BIO-BASED EPOXY SYSTEMS FOR WIND
ENERGY AND AUTOMOTIVE

Sicomin's SGi 128 is a new,
innovative
intumescent
epoxy
gelcoat that is particularly well suited
to fire-retardant coating applications
for critical components found in the
wind energy and civil engineering
markets.
The gelcoat is produced with 38%
of carbon content from non-oil
sources and is a halogen-free gelcoat that provides outstanding
fire protection for epoxy laminates and extremely low smoke
toxicity. Available with both fast and slow hardeners, this easy-to-apply
epoxy system forms a much tougher and waterproof part surface
than traditional intumescent coatings. SGi 128 is available in industrial
volumes with short lead times and has been successfully tested to EN
13501 (EUROCLASS B-S1-d0) and ASTM E84 (Class A).
Sicomin's new bio-resin specifically formulated for HP-RTM processing,
SR GreenPoxy 28, is the sixth product in the company's renowned
GreenPoxy range. SR GreenPoxy 28 is a fast-cycle, low-toxicity, thirdgeneration bio-based formulation aimed specifically at the HP-RTM
moulding processes used for both high-performance automotive
structural parts and aesthetic carbon fibre components. The new
formulation has been optimized for fast production cycle times and
superior mechanical performance and is a suitable alternative to
traditional resins, providing exceptional performance and quality for
high-volume programmes. www.sicomin.com
Booth: Hall 6 - G43

CHEMISTRY CHOICE FOR
COMPOSITE SUSPENSIONS

INNOVATION REPORT

Automotive

PREVIEW JEC WORLD

Booth: Hall 5 - F17

Automotive

INTERMEDIATES
BEST-IN-CLASS HIGH-TEMPERATURE PHTHALONITRILE PREPREGS
Azista Industries is introducing a phthalonitrile resin-based prepreg. Composite materials made with these prepregs perform
exceptionally well at extreme temperatures in excess of 250°C. The composites are thermally stable and display excellent hot/
wet mechanical properties suitable for applications with extended exposure to temperatures at 250-350°C and between 350450°C for shorter lengths of time. Azista's phthalonitrile prepreg offers best-in-class shelf life when stored below 35°C and in a
moisture-free environment, for up to one year. These prepregs exhibit excellent tack and drape properties while providing easy
handling with minimal moisture absorption. Phthalonitrile prepregs are cured through additional polymerization, leading to void-free components.
They display superior fire, smoke, and toxicity (FST) performance and are developed based on non-toxic chemistries. Laminates with a thickness
of 3mm have been successfully post-cured to 350°C. Composites fabricated using phthalonitrile prepregs can replace titanium alloys in many
applications and offer increased design flexibility and substantial weight savings. They have a high glass transition temperature of ~375°C. Typical
applications include jet engine components, missile parts, heat shields, and heat protection systems. www.azistaaerospace.com

Booth: Hall 5 - J41

Marine

NEW MARINE PRODUCTS ENABLE SHORT CYCLE TIMES
Hexcel will present the new HexBond 679 low-temperature film adhesive and new HexPly UD carbon tapes with air venting Grid Technology,
both specifically tailored to offer cycle time reductions within the marine industry. HexBond 679 is a 250gsm epoxy adhesive film formulated to
be fully compatible with the HexPly M79 prepreg range. Fully cured in only four hours at 80°C, this adhesive film system offers huge cycle time
reductions, provides strong lap shear & peel strength performance and delivers outstanding mechanical properties in foam and honeycomb
sandwich structures. When combined with Hexcel's innovative air venting Grid Technology, HexPly M79 UD carbon tapes can be laminated
with reduced debulking steps to produce void contents below 1% irrespective of laminate thickness. The company will also demonstrate the
exceptional surface finish provided by the HexPly XF2 surfacing prepreg in Sunseeker's superstructure component. Highly drapeable with a
tacky surface to adhere to the mould tool for an efficient lay-up process, HexPly XF2 provides a high-quality pin-hole-free finish straight from the
mould, reducing finishing and paint preparation time significantly. The component on display also features carbon fibre HexPly SuperFIT prepregs
providing structural strength below the XF2 surface layer. Hexcel recommends the use of HexPly M79 SuperFIT prepregs, which allow rapid cure
cycles at low temperatures and are easy to process in conjunction with conventional HexPly M79 prepregs. www.hexcel.com

No133 March - April 2020 /

jec composites magazine

103

http://www.huntsman.com http://www.sicomin.com http://www.azistaaerospace.com http://www.hexcel.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #133 - March/April 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #133 - March/April 2020