Total Composite Solutions (TCS) has launched an epoxy prepreg solution for the aerospace interiors sector. The material range, developed and manufactured by Microtex Composites, TCS’s prepreg partner, is claimed to allow substitution of traditional phenolic systems whilst exceeding the requirements of industry standard FAR 25.853.
According to TCS, additional benefits of the chemistry include health and safety in the workplace, as well as improved finished part quality, reductions in potential rework, and resulting commercial or supply chain gains in manufacturing. The material can be oven cured, allowing flexibility to manufacture large structures without autoclave curing. All test properties achieved to date have been produced from oven-cured laminates.
Andy Pointon, managing director of TCS stated, “The prepreg solution we are delivering to the market will enable the removal of phenolic chemistry from the sector, a strategy clearly defined by the major market OEMs. Extensive independent testing carried out by certified industry test houses has proven the TCS solution exceeds the demands of FAR 25.853, producing values equivalent or better in terms of both heat release and smoke density. Values such as these have previously only been seen in phenolic systems.”
