HexPly® M901 Prepreg Speeds Up Prototype and New Product Development Cycles for Technology Leader Rassini
Hexcel, a global leader in advanced composites technologies, is pleased to confirm that its HexPly® M901 prepreg system has been selected by Rassini, a Mexico-based technology leader in composite vehicle suspension systems, to speed up prototype and new product development cycles, reducing overall time to market with an easy to process material solution that enables effective early-stage design screening and cost-effective production.
As a specialist in the mass production of composite helper leaf springs for various leading OEMs, Rassini continuously develops innovative new suspension component designs. Due to cost and timing, however, these new products cannot easily be prototyped using conventional high-pressure resin transfer molding (HP-RTM) technology.
With more than 15 years of experience in delivering glass fiber prepregs for the serial production of composite leaf springs, Hexcel developed its high-performance HexPly M901 prepreg system specifically for this type of application. HexPly M901 combines the right level of structural performance required with simple processing, providing Rassini with a reliable material solution optimized for rapid development and fine-tuning iterations.
HexPly M901 is a high Tg epoxy resin prepreg system specifically developed for structural components that will be exposed to harsh thermal and environmental conditions. With short cure cycles of 10 minutes and below producing excellent green, or handling, strength of the composite part for demolding and unidirectional glass fiber aerial weights up to 1,600gsm, HexPly M901 delivers a powerful combination of benefits for suspension component applications.
In addition to having an important role in the new product development cycle, HexPly M901 also offers significant advantages for lower volume serial production of composite mono leaf springs. Combining mechanical performance that is approximately 15% higher than standard prepregs with enhanced fatigue properties and a Tg of up to 200˚C following post-cure, HexPly M901 sets a benchmark for performance.
Claude Despierres, VP Sales and Marketing – Industrial at Hexcel, said, “We are very proud of our highly innovative developments with partners such as Rassini that allow us to continuously improve our product range, address our customers’ needs and optimize our composite material solutions for each application.”
*****
About Hexcel
Hexcel Corporation is a leading advanced composites company. It develops, manufactures and markets lightweight, high-performance structural materials including carbon fibers, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fiber-reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb, adhesives, engineered core and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense and industrial applications.
About Rassini
Rassini is the world’s largest producer of suspension components for light commercial vehicles and the only fully integrated brake rotor producer in America. We develop mobility solutions through big data, artificial intelligence, widespread digitalization and innovation in both processes and materials. We offer solutions to automotive manufacturers in 10 countries, supplying components to more than eight million vehicles each year. Additional information about Rassini and its products is available at www.rassini.com.
Contact Information
Paula Constantinou | Director, Marketing Communications | paula.constantinou@hexcel.com
Samantha Keen | 100% Marketing | sam@100percentmarketing.com
