Victrex has developed a range of unidirectional (UD) tape and laminate composite panels for the aerospace industry.
Victrex AE250 composites can produce continuously-reinforced components that can perform under load, such as brackets, clips, clamps, and housings used throughout the aircraft in primary and secondary structures.
Victrex AE250 composites have shown weight savings of up to 60% under certain circumstances when compared to metals such as aluminum, stainless steel and titanium. The composites have also shown up to five times higher specific strength compared to metals.
Using the composites as inserts in existing injection molding equipment, the hybrid molding process enables the overmolding of a continuously-reinforced thermoplastic composite with Victrex PEEK injection molding polymers, the company says. The hybrid molding technology offers improved cycle times, lower energy requirements, and the elimination of scrap and secondary operations.
The composites also offer high-temperature performance and thermal stability, chemical resistance to aerospace fluids and gases, and resistance to hydrolysis and corrosion, Victrex reports.
This story is reprinted from material from Victrex with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
