Hexcel completes aerospace qualification for M91 composite material

Hexcel Corp. (NYSE: HXL) said Tuesday that its HexPly M91 carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy prepreg system has completed qualification through the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP), making standardized material data available for use by aerospace manufacturers.

The qualification, completed through NCAMP, an initiative of the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University, covers both unidirectional tape and plain weave fabric forms of the material.

Qualification could broaden adoption

For investors, NCAMP qualification can help expand the commercial use of aerospace materials by providing standardized material property data that manufacturers can use during aircraft design and certification. The process can reduce the time and cost required to qualify materials for new aerospace programs and may make it easier for suppliers such as Hexcel to win positions on future commercial aircraft, defense and advanced air mobility platforms.

Hexcel said the material is designed for primary aerospace structures and combines an intermediate modulus carbon fiber with a toughened epoxy resin system intended to improve structural performance.

According to the company, the material offers higher tensile and compressive strength along with improved impact resistance compared with established composite systems used as benchmarks.

The qualification data have been published in the NCAMP database, where aircraft manufacturers can access them for use in design and certification programs.

Hexcel said M91 has already been supplied for advanced aerospace applications, including carbon fiber composite engine fan blades. The NCAMP qualification makes validated performance data broadly available for additional aircraft and propulsion programs.

The company said the qualification reflects its collaboration with the National Institute for Aviation Research to develop and validate advanced composite materials for aerospace applications.