The two companies announced in March 2018 that they will combine Hexcel's expertise in carbon fiber and Arkema in polyetherketone ketone (PEKK) to form a strategic alliance to develop thermoplastic composite solutions for the aerospace sector.
The goal of the two companies to open this new laboratory is to develop carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg tapes to produce lightweight components for the next generation of aircraft. These solutions will provide customers in the aerospace, space and defense sectors with lightweight and low-cost technologies, including faster production cycles.
Thanks to the close cooperation between Hexcel and Arkema, an initial industrial pilot production line will be installed in the new laboratory in the coming weeks. The carbon / thermoplastic UD tape for the carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic prepreg test line is expected to be available to customers for evaluation starting in the third quarter of 2019.