NCAMP qualifies Victrex new thermoplastic material system

Victrex has announced the approval of a new unidirectional tape (UDT) – VICTREX AE 250-AS4 by the National Centre for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) for use in aerospace programmes.

The combination of the industry standard HexTow carbon fibre supplied by Hexcel and the new, innovative thermoplastic resin system from Victrex can be incorporated into the manufacturing of composite materials that may reduce energy use, decrease aircraft weight, and improve aircraft durability.

NCAMP works closely with the FAA and industry partners to qualify material systems and populate publicly available databases. These NCAMP databases accelerate production and reduce the costs related to a typical qualification of composite material systems by aircraft manufacturers. By having an NCAMP-qualified system, suppliers can bring materials to market faster on a larger scale and help their end-users reach FAA certification sooner than the typical certification process.

The adoption of thermoplastic composites in the aerospace industry is on the rise, due to the benefits from materials that lower aircraft weight and reduced associated fuel burn, while providing cost savings to the airline and lowering carbon emissions for the environment.

Victrex engaged in a process spanning more than two years to successfully qualify VICTREX AE 250-AS4 UDT to the NCAMP allowables database. Hexcel has a proven record of qualifying composite materials solutions through NCAMP, and this newly available allowables database enables aircraft designers to easily adopt an exceptional new composite system solution.

“Having an allowables database is critical for entry onto certified aircraft,” said Claire Steggall-Murphy, strategic technology manager, Victrex. “It is the basis for structural substantiation and a minimum requirement to supply to customers who want to design and build parts with our materials.”

“Hexcel’s unsized carbon fibre is the industry-preferred carbon fibre for use in high performance thermoplastic composites,” added Lyndon Smith, vice-president, fibres, Hexcel. “We are pleased to have been selected and congratulate Victrex on receiving this approval.”

www.victrex.com