Toray Composite Materials America, Inc., a leading innovator and supplier of carbon fibre materials and advanced composite prepreg, announces the launch of Toray 2700. Epoxy-based 2700 is a high-performance, patented resin technology geared toward emerging aerospace programs. It satisfies stringent aerospace structural design drivers and enables the manufacture of high quality, high volume, cost-effective composite parts.

This flexible and adaptive material is ideal as emerging aerospace programs transition from prototype to high volume production. "We have listened to our customers and the focused needs of their production systems. With the new 2700 family of products, Toray is introducing a simplified solution that meets the high demands of both performance and process flexibility," said Timothy Kirk, Vice President of Aerospace Sales. "This system not only performs well in low-volume environments, it is highly adaptable for automation and other high-rate production processes. We are excited to deliver this new value to our customers."

Processing Versatility of Toray 2700

The 2700 prepreg system is suitable for applications where parts are exposed to high heat and high humidity environments (i.e. hot / wet condition) since it is specifically engineered for heat resistance and low moisture absorption. It accommodates flexible cure temperatures (250-350 degrees Fahrenheit / 121-177 degrees Celsius) and satisfies aerospace structural drivers such as compression properties.

Final product configurations of 2700 include combining it with various Torayca unidirectional carbon fibres and other woven carbon or glass fibres. This prepreg is drapable and press cures in less than 5 minutes, enabling the rapid production of parts with complex geometries. It provides low void content and excellent all-around structural properties.

Toray 2700 can be used in compression molding of high-volume small parts such as aircraft clips, molded brackets, and wing ribs, while larger parts may be processed via out-of-autoclave (OOA) and vacuum bag only (VBO). Other suitable processing methods include automated tape laying (ATL), automated fibre placement (AFP), and hand layup.

"Most prepregs are designed around a specific process, then stretched beyond their capability to accommodate other processes. This prepreg will allow emerging aerospace programs to start with hand layup and oven cures, then progress to higher volume with AFP/ATL and compression molding, all while using the same material. This is a game-changer for the aerospace market," said Nate Monroe, Market Sector Manager for Urban Air Mobility.