Hexcel Launches New Continuous Carbon Fiber, Leading Innovation in Composite Materials
Recently, Hexcel Corporation, a leading player in the composite materials industry, has made a significant breakthrough by successfully introducing its new HexTow® IM9 24K continuous carbon fiber. This innovative product not only demonstrates Hexcel's exceptional prowess in carbon fiber technology but also offers a superior material option for high-end sectors such as aerospace, nuclear energy, and pressure vessels.
According to reports, HexTow® IM9 24K continuous carbon fiber is a medium-modulus small-tow fiber product containing 24,000 filaments. With an average tensile strength exceeding 6,300 MPa, a tensile modulus reaching 298 GPa, and an elongation at break of 1.9%, HexTow® IM9 24K boasts a 12% increase in tensile strength compared to Hexcel's previous IM7 fiber, which is primarily used in high-end aerospace applications. This remarkable performance enhancement makes HexTow® IM9 24K an ideal material for producing primary and secondary structural components in the aerospace sector.
Hexcel stated that HexTow® IM9 24K continuous carbon fiber will undergo verification in combination with high-performance resin systems such as toughened epoxy resins and thermosetting bismaleimide resins, as well as out-of-autoclave (OOA) curing technologies. Currently, the product is in the multi-system data testing phase and is expected to be officially applied in actual production within the coming period.
In addition to HexTow® IM9 24K continuous carbon fiber, Hexcel has also recently launched HexForce® 1K woven reinforcement fabric. This lightweight fabric utilizes Hexcel's proprietary HexTow® AS4C 1K carbon fiber, which can produce composite materials with high strength and low weight. The core technology of HexForce® 1K woven reinforcement fabric lies in its use of 1K carbon fiber, each bundle containing 1,000 filaments, offering significant advantages in terms of weight reduction and strength enhancement. Hexcel indicated that HexForce® 1K woven reinforcement fabric is well-suited for various industrial applications, such as golf clubs, hockey sticks, and automotive components. Meanwhile, Hexcel is also evaluating the potential applications of this material in the aerospace and defense sectors.
Hexcel's innovations in carbon fiber composite materials extend beyond product development to market expansion. In recent years, with the increasing global demand for lightweight, high-strength materials, Hexcel's carbon fiber composites have been widely used in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, sporting equipment, and other fields. Hexcel maintains long-term partnerships with global aviation giants such as Boeing and Airbus, providing them with a substantial amount of high-quality composite materials. At the same time, Hexcel is continuously expanding its market share in defense, electric vehicles, and high-performance sports cars.
In terms of capacity, Hexcel's key production facilities include its plant in Utah, USA, and its factory in Lyon, France. With the increasing demand for high-performance composite materials, Hexcel plans to further expand its capacity in the coming years. The company has announced a series of expansion projects, particularly in carbon fiber and fabric production. These initiatives will help Hexcel better meet market demands and drive its continued development in the composite materials field.
The launch of Hexcel's new HexTow® IM9 24K continuous carbon fiber not only marks another significant breakthrough in the company's carbon fiber technology but also injects new vitality into the global composite materials industry. With the growing global demand for lightweight, high-strength materials, Hexcel's carbon fiber composites are poised to play an increasingly important role in key sectors such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing.
