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Hexcel uses HexPly M9.6 carbon fiber prepreg to produce masts for Silenseas

HexPly provides M9.6 carbon fiber prepreg for the 34-meter-high cruise ship mast. The production scale of Silenseas' future ships is to develop three 66-meter-high carbon fiber masts.


Hexcel announced the successful completion of the 34-meter HexPly carbon fiber prepreg mast used in the Chantiers de l'Atlantique Silenseas project. According to reports, the HexPly M9.6 prepreg supplied to mast section manufacturers meets all project quality, mechanical and processing performance goals, while providing a scalable and cost-competitive composite material solution for the use of Merchant ships provide power for cleaner, more sustainable transportation.


The Silenseas project was initiated by Chantiers de l'Atlantique, one of the largest shipyards in the world, to validate its new concept of powering the next generation of quieter and more environmentally friendly cruise ships. Silenseas ships use the power of the sea breeze to fly large carbon fiber masts on composite solid sails. Combined with the ship's dual-fuel engine, the composite sail program will save up to 30% of fuel, with the goal of reducing future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.


Hexcel is a leader in prepreg solutions for large structural components (especially wind turbine blades) and has been providing composite materials for the marine industry since the 1970s. Since the beginning of the project, its products have been a key part of the Silenseas drilling rig structure and have been used in the 34-meter-high demonstration mast recently installed on the land of Saint-Nazaire. HexPly M9.6 prepreg is equipped with a series of heavyweight standard modulus unidirectional (UD) carbon fiber, woven and non-crimp fabric (NCF) reinforcement materials. The HexPly material used in the Silenseas project includes special modifications to improve handling, laying speed and integration.


The latest Silenseas mast was built in stages by a partner in Lorient using a standardized production process. Since the size of the future mast will be more than twice the size of the newly installed top demonstrator, the Silenseas project team developed a production scale-up roadmap. Hexcel stated that its process-enhanced prepreg technology will play an important role in the next steps. The long-term goal is to use non-autoclave (OOA) processing while maintaining the current laminate quality of thick (>150 mm) sections. Carbon fiber Components.


Silenseas now plans to expand the scale of composite sails. Future ships intend to carry three 66-meter-high carbon fiber masts, which can save up to 30% of fuel by 2025.


"Hexcel congratulates Chantiers de l'Atlantique and all partners on the successful demonstration test project in Saint-Nazaire and its commitment to develop cleaner ocean transportation," said the relevant personnel. "We are very happy to be part of this collaboration to provide lightweight composite technologies that help reduce emissions and lead a more sustainable future."

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