- 22 July 2008 -
Umeco gets Airbus qualification

UMECO PLC’s subsidiary Advanced Composites Group (ACG) has received Airbus qualification for its first out-of-autoclave (OOA) pre-impregnated advanced composite material for structural applications.

ACG’s MTM®44-1 is a dual cure temperatures, high performance epoxy matrix developed for both resin film infusion (RFI) and prepreg processing. It is optimised for low pressure vacuum bag processing, and can be supplied in partial or selectively impregnated (ZPREG®) formats to reduce lay-up time, minimise surface defects, and ensure very low internal void content.

It is capable of 150°C wet Tg and has a high level of damage tolerance. Together with its low density, this makes it suitable for primary structures on aircraft, produced out of autoclave.

According to Umeco, MTM 44-1 offers lower capital equipment outlay as well as savings on certain associated processing costs. It may also facilitate the manufacturing of larger and more integrated structures, that might otherwise be constrained by the dimensions and significant investments required for traditional in-autoclave processing, allowing greater use of composite materials in ever larger structures such as wind turbine blades.

“This new technology allows larger structures to be constructed for aerospace, automotive and wind applications. The strength to weight ratios mean that, in the longer term, these materials could have environmental benefits for transport through greater fuel efficiency,” says Clive Snowdon, Chief Executive Officer at Umeco of Leamington Spa, UK.

Umeco; www.umeco.com
ACG; www.advanced-composites.com

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