Hexcel and Specialty Materials Introduce a New High Modulus, High Compression Unidirectional Prepreg

Hexcel Corporation (NYSE: HXL) and Specialty Materials announced today a significant advancement in the development by Specialty Materials of a new high modulus carbon fiber technology using Hexcel materials. Specialty Materials’ Hy-Bor® technology pairs Hexcel’s high modulus carbon fiber with boron fiber, significantly enhancing compression strength, and offering a new class of materials for airframe manufacturers and other defense applications.  

“This new material offers substantial weight savings and design flexibility, opening up a range of applications for commercial aviation, as well as for space and defense applications, including aircraft, satellites, and missile systems,” said Imad Atallah, Vice President - Product Management, Fibers, Reinforcement & Matrix, Hexcel. “The technology mitigates the traditional drop in compression strength associated with high modulus fibers, providing enhanced capabilities that our Department of Defense customers are demanding for next generation platforms.”

“The new product offering ensures that American sources of high-performance composite products are maintained, broadening the applications for high modulus carbon fiber, and maintaining performance superiority in various DOD systems,” said Monica Rommel, CEO, Specialty Materials. “The selection of this new product highlights the importance of maintaining a secure source of materials for next-generation technology, and ensuring the United States keeps a technical edge above competitors and near-peer threats.”

Under a Small Business Innovation Research program contract from the Defense Logistics Agency, Specialty Materials developed the innovative Hy-Bor® hybridized unidirectional prepreg material by infusing boron fiber with HexTow® HM63 carbon fiber produced by Hexcel. According to DLA, the new high modulus, high compression material resulted in a >2X improvement in 0⁰ compression strength, open-hole compression strength, and flexural strength when compared to a baseline carbon fiber-only composite of similar fiber volume.

DLA has now awarded Specialty Materials a Phase II SBIR contract to advance High Modulus Hy-Bor® composite technology. The new funding will drive optimization of this prepreg material, focusing on delivering maximum performance at minimum cost. Key developments will enhance its compatibility with both manual layup and automated fiber placement manufacturing processes.

Hexcel and Specialty Materials will showcase this new material combining each company’s technology at SAMPE 2025, North America's premier advanced material and process engineering conference and exhibition, held May 19-22, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  

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About Hexcel
Hexcel Corporation is a global leader in advanced lightweight composites technology. We propel the future of flight and transportation through excellence in providing innovative high-performance material solutions that are lighter, stronger, and tougher, helping to create a better world for us all. Our broad and unrivaled product range includes carbon fiber, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fiber-reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb, resins, engineered core and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications.

About Specialty Materials
Specialty Materials is at the forefront of developing advanced composite technologies for defense and aerospace applications. With a focus on innovation and performance, Specialty Materials delivers cutting-edge solutions that enhance the capabilities of military and space systems.

Contacts
Matthew Bates | Director, Marketing & Communications | Matthew.Bates@Hexcel.com | 385-434-4736
Stephanie Trinidad | Customer Solutions Manager | strinidad@specmaterials.com | 978-322-1956