Qarbon Aerospace, Inc. has completed more icing tunnel tests of its patented Helios Ice Protection System. This uses a heated graphite layer embedded in a thermoplastic composite leading edge.

The graphite's superior thermal conductivity produces heat significantly faster than legacy ice protection systems, which is a crucial benefit in ice protection technologies. The Helios test articles used for the icing tunnel test utilized Teijin carbon fibre materials and Web Industries' Precision BiasPly technology. Web Industries' patented technology produces bias-ply composites that allow for high-scale production in application specific formats, increasing efficiency and reducing waste.

The successful Helios icing tunnel test validated a manufacturing concept for advanced manufacturing processes and low electrical power requirements. The electro-thermal system replaces bulky rubber pneumatic boots, gates, valves, tubing, controller, hardware and nacelle heating systems.

Qarbon Aerospace, headquartered in Red Oak, Texas, is a provider of large, complex composite and metallic structural components and assemblies such as fuselages, wings, flight control surfaces and engine nacelles and components. It operates nearly two million square feet of factory space across three facilities located in Red Oak, Texas, Milledgeville, Georgia, and Rayong, Thailand.