On August 24, Hexcel, located in Stamford, Connecticut, USA, announced the launch of the company’s latest HexAM® material technology-HexPEKK®EM, which is a conductive and high-performance carbon fiber reinforced PEKK thermoplastic composite material , And based on 3D printing additive manufacturing technology processing, with industry-leading performance.
HexPEKK®EM integrates advanced electromagnetic shielding performance and is suitable for complex 3D printed components in commercial aerospace, defense and military fields. HexPEKK®EM composite components can be put into use after 3D printing. The new carbon fiber reinforced PEKK composite material is specially formulated to meet the requirements of electrostatic management, electromagnetic shielding and radiation absorption in advanced aircraft applications. It can provide unique electrical properties and can be used as Hexcel's current carbon fiber-based and unfilled pure resin HexPEKK® Complementary product with 100 material combinations.
HexPEKK®EM components are manufactured using the HexAM® process qualified in the aerospace industry, with the best-in-class environment, working temperature and chemical resistance that the aerospace industry can achieve. By integrating enhanced electromagnetic properties into additively manufactured components, HexPEKK®EM parts do not require expensive and time-consuming secondary processing steps, such as the application of conductive coatings to improve electromagnetic interference or radiation absorption.
The target applications of HexPEKK®EM cover a wide range of products, such as exterior surfaces, leading edges, air intakes, electronic enclosures and cockpit structures of commercial aircraft, military aircraft, helicopters and UAV components. HexPEKK®EM components will be produced at Hexcel's Hartford plant. The company will continue to use powder bed fusion technology to develop the HexAM® additive manufacturing process to fundamentally improve the way the world's aircraft components are manufactured.
Lawrence Varholak, vice president of 3D printing technology at Hexcel, said: "In the design of all aircraft, static dissipation, electromagnetic interference and radiation absorption are extremely important. The introduction of aviation structural materials and advanced structural manufacturing technologies will make this complex Structural manufacturing becomes possible. It significantly reduces weight and cost while providing unlimited design flexibility."