Teijin Tenax carbon fiber prepreg adopted for UltraFan aeroengine nacelle
Prepreg developed specifically for aircraft applications using high-performance and rapid-curing epoxy resin, with low-temp molding and automated processing capabilities.
![UltraFan demonstrator.](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/cw/2021-cw/0621-cw-news-ultrafan-demonstrator1.png;maxWidth=720)
Photo Credit: Rolls-Royce
On June 1 Teijin Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) announced that its Tenax carbon fiber prepreg has been adopted for a part of a nacelle — a streamlined housing or tank — for a next-generation aircraft engine demonstrator, the UltraFan, to be used by Airbus (Toulouse, France). A prototype of the nacelle part, which Nikkiso Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) is developing for Airbus’ Propulsion of Tomorrow project, will be delivered to Airbus by the end of 2021.
The Tenax prepreg used for the nacelle part is said to have been developed especially for aircraft applications using high-performance and rapid-curing epoxy resin. Notably, says Teijin, the Tenax prepreg can be molded at a lower temperature and in a shorter time than conventional prepregs for aircraft applications. In addition to general autoclave molding, the prepreg also is reportedly suited to press molding for mass production, achieving excellent quality required for aircraft applications. Furthermore, it is compatible with automated fiber placement (AFP), and as a result, can be combined with automatic laminating technology and short-time molding to maximize production efficiency. Teijin says the productivity and cost efficiency of the Tenax prepreg were key reasons why it was adopted for Nikkiso’s nacelle.
Teijin adds that it is intensively accelerating its development of mid- to downstream applications for aircraft, one of the strategic focuses of its medium-term management plan for 2020-2022. Going forward, Teijin intends to further strengthen its carbon fiber and intermediate material businesses (see “Teijin launches carbon fiber intermediate material brands”) to contribute to increasing global sustainability, aiming to become a company that supports the society of the future.
Related Content
-
Manufacturing the MFFD thermoplastic composite fuselage
Demonstrator’s upper, lower shells and assembly prove materials and new processes for lighter, cheaper and more sustainable high-rate future aircraft.
-
Plant tour: Joby Aviation, Marina, Calif., U.S.
As the advanced air mobility market begins to take shape, market leader Joby Aviation works to industrialize composites manufacturing for its first-generation, composites-intensive, all-electric air taxi.
-
Recycling end-of-life composite parts: New methods, markets
From infrastructure solutions to consumer products, Polish recycler Anmet and Netherlands-based researchers are developing new methods for repurposing wind turbine blades and other composite parts.