Victrex enables thinner prepregs for carbon fibre composites

Mitsuya’s prepreg sheet is less than 40 µm thick.
Mitsuya’s prepreg sheet is less than 40 µm thick.

The carbon fibre prepreg is a uni-directional sheet combining VICTREX® PEEK™ (polyetheretherketone) polymer-based APTIV film and strips of carbon fibre lined up in one direction. The prepreg can also be used to form multiaxial layered prepregs moulded and combined in multiple directions.

Mitsuya opens the carbon fibre tows and continuously spread them widely, thinly and evenly before processing them into a sheet. The spreading of the fibres is said to make polymer impregnation easier giving good evenness and balance when used in layer processes allowing a wide range of thicknesses.

The prepregs’ high heat resistance, material strength, and light weight, make the suitable for athletic products and Formula One cars. Multiaxial layered prepregs are also ideal for aircraft structural parts that need to withstand impact from multiple directions.

Victrex is headquartered in Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, UK.