Axiom Materials announces narrow slit tow prepregs for electric, CNG and hydrogen-powered vehicles

Kordsa’s (Istanbul, Turkey) U.S. subsidiary, Axiom Materials (Santa Ana, Calif., U.S.), reports that it is contributing to sustainable mobility with the introduction of its new narrow slit tow prepregs. Compared to traditional 2D composite counterparts, Axiom says these carbon fiber tow prepregs are specially designed to withstand high temperatures, enabling their use in transportation applications including electric, compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen-powered aircraft and vehicles.

According to the company, narrow tow prepregs are designed to improve safety, increase strength, reduce waste and withstand high temperatures in applications such as critical battery containment, high-pressure vessels and structural components that will support next generation transportation.

“Placing sustainability at the core of our activities, we are pleased to expand our capabilities in the composites field with two new prepregs,” says Dr. Johnny Lincoln, CEO of Axiom Materials. “AX-6170 and AX-6201XL are flagship materials for us. They reflect our commitment toward advancing the goals of carbon neutrality, clean emissions and environmental sustainability in advanced materials. Our new prepreg line offers marked advantages over traditional 2D composite prepregs and hand layup methods.”

Lincoln notes that the prepregs are designed for automated fiber placement (AFP) or for machine-supported winding techniques used in the preparation of round, cylindrical and rectangular 3D vessels and structures. “We are proud to say that our narrow slit prepregs improve passenger safety, enhance fuel efficiency, reduce waste, all the while enabling lower cost, higher performance and more environmentally-benign transportation,” he says.

AX-6170-C-150GT700-0.25'' RC37 prepreg is a 0.25-inch-wide cyanate ester tape for critical strength parts with 150 gsm weight, operating in high-temperature environments up to 600ºF (316°C), such as lithium-ion battery containers. AX-6201XL-C-150GT700-0.25'' RC37 is a 0.25-inch-wide toughened, epoxy carbon prepreg, also 150 gsm weight, designed for the manufacture of larger parts requiring excellent surface quality. Both prepregs may be cured using vacuum bag oven or autoclave processes. The product is also available in a flame-retardant variant. Primary uses are large structural parts and pressure vessels for CNG and hydrogen fuel tanks for vehicles.

The resin systems are designed by Axiom Materials. AX-6170 and AX-6201XL will also be manufactured in Turkey at Kordsa’s Composite Technologies Center of Excellence, which reportedly provides an exemplary ecosystem by bringing industry and academia together, and contributing to a more sustainable future through its R&D studies and innovations.