RTM Process Provides Airbus with Cost-Effective Carbon Fiber Composite Materials

 

Tenax DRNF and Tenax DRBF were developed for resin infusion and resin transfer molding processes, offering higher productivity and part integration compared to conventional autoclave molding. Tenax DRNF is made of bundled carbon fiber filaments that are spread out in one direction into multiple layers in different directions, depending on the structural requirements of the final part.

 

The fabric has excellent fiber orientation and its mechanical properties are superior to conventional woven fabrics, with performance equivalent to aerospace-grade thermoset unidirectional prepregs. Tenax DRBF is used as a cavity filler in the spoiler component structure, and the materials have been individually qualified by Airbus specifically for this application.

 

 

The combination of Tenax DRNF and Tenax DRBF achieves Spirit AeroSystems aircraft component production standards such as effective processing capabilities, productivity and cost efficiency. The A320neo spoiler component will be produced at Spirit AeroSystems’ new high-volume production facility in Prestwick, Scotland.

 

As one of the strategic priorities of its mid-term management plan for 2020-2022. Teijin is accelerating the development of mid- and downstream applications for aircraft, such as cost-effective carbon fibers with higher strength and higher tensile modulus, intermediate materials including Tenax dry-reinforced carbon fiber materials, carbon fiber thermoplastic unidirectional prepreg tapes (Tenax TPUD), carbon fiber thermoplastic reinforced laminates (Tenax TPCL) and thermoset prepregs.

 

Looking ahead, Teijin plans to further strengthen its carbon fiber and intermediate materials business and strive to become a leading solution provider in aircraft applications, with annual sales in this field expected to exceed US$900 million by around 2030.