Toray earns NCAMP qualification for toughened 3960 prepreg

The material passed multi-format testing, establishing an FAA-recognised baseline for structural composite applications in aircraft and spacecraft platforms.

Toray Composite Materials America has achieved NCAMP qualification for its next-generation 3960 prepreg system. The qualification confirms the system’s performance using TORAYCA T1100 intermediate modulus plus carbon fibre, with validated strength, toughness and durability in hot and wet conditions for structural use in aircraft, satellites and launch vehicles.

Five-batch NCAMP testing has been completed for the unidirectional format, with design allowable data now available in the NCAMP database. Commercial and defence users can access these reports and procure the material according to NMS 397, a specification developed by Toray and NCAMP and accepted by both the FAA and EASA. A separate plain weave variant has also completed testing, with the data under NCAMP review.

Jeff Cross, principal director of defence programs at Toray, says: “Achieving NCAMP qualification for our next-generation prepreg system is a significant milestone for Toray and reinforces our commitment to delivering high-performance composite materials.”

A three-batch AFP dataset supporting the U.S. AFRL’s MASC programme was also developed, marking the first public allowables for automated fibre placement and further validating the material’s versatility.