N09-04 - November 12, 2009 NCAMP announces new material qualification program   The National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) announces that it has chosen Cytec’s 5320 medium toughness out-of-autoclave prepreg system and Cytec’s 5276-1 high toughness prepreg system for its newest material qualification program.     Funding for this material qualification program was provided by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).   NCAMP began the material selection process by compiling proposals from various material suppliers into a ballot.  The ballot was sent to the NCAMP Manufacturers Advisory Board, which consists of original equipment manufacturers and tier-1 suppliers.  It was also sent to NCAMP’s Regulatory Governing Board, made up of several U.S. government agencies.  Members voted for the most desirable materials.    The material property data acquisition and qualification test plans will generate basic material allowables typically needed for aerospace applications and material properties typically needed to establish material control. Material and process specifications which follow SAE AMS format will be created for the materials.  The production of the qualified products will be controlled by NCAMP-approved process control document. The material property data generated from this program are intended for inclusion in CMH-17 Vol. 2 Complete Documentation sections.   Aerospace companies that wish to participate in this program are requested to contact Yeow Ng at yeow.ng@wichita.edu.  NCAMP will begin to work with Cytec and the participating aerospace companies to select the products forms (fiber, fabric style, areal weight, etc.).  Two product forms will be qualified with each resin system. The program is scheduled to complete within two years.       Material Selection Process A total of 27 NCAMP Manufacturers Advisory Board and Regulatory Governing Board members participated in the material selection process.  The ballots were received from designated representatives of the following NCAMP members: U.S. Air Force, Airbus, U.S. Army, ATK, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Bombardier, Cessna, Cirrus Design, Embraer, GE Aviation, General Atomics, Goodrich, Gulfstream, Hawker Beechcraft, HondaJet, Israel Aircraft Industries, Korea Aerospace Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, NAVAIR, Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney, Scaled Composites, Sikorsky, Spirit AeroSystems, Fuji Heavy Industries, and Vought Aircraft.    Questions asked in the ballot were: Would your company like to see this material qualified into the NCAMP shared database? Does your company have an immediate need for this material? Are you or your sub-contractor willing to fabricate equivalency test panels for this material (a total of about 20 panels)? Are you or your sub-contractor willing to fabricate qualification test panels for this material (a total of about 180 panels)? Each “yes” answer carried one point. Representatives were asked to discuss their votes with other individuals within their company.     Material Selection Results Medium toughness out-of-autoclave Candidates Points ACG MTM45-1 21 Cytec 5320 47 Gurit EP142 7 Hexcel M56 21 Nelcote E752 21 Newport 4708 13 TenCate TC250 18   High toughness Candidates Points Cytec 5276-1 35 Hexcel M21 20     About Cytec 5320* CYCOM® 5320 is Cytec Engineered Materials’ newest toughened epoxy resin prepreg system. Designed specifically for out-of-autoclave (OOA) manufacturing, CYCOM 5320 provides autoclave-type material performance with the benefit of lower processing costs and manufacturing flexibility. This material allows for the design of large primary structures, without the autoclave costs and size limitations.   Wing Skin Demonstrator with Hat Stiffened Skin Fabricated Using Cytec 5320 (public release information of Air Force case 88ABW-2008-0466 and by DARPA as DISTAR 12455)   The low temperature curing capability of CYCOM 5320, coupled with the cost benefits, makes it ideal for many structural aerospace applications. Low cost tooling and OOA curing offers the distinct advantage of using one material for both prototype and high-rate production.   CYCOM 5320 offers the mechanical performance equivalent to 350°F/180°C autoclave-cured, toughened epoxy prepreg systems. With CYCOM 5320, you have the flexibility to vary the cure cycle from 200°F/8hr to 250°F/2hr (followed by a 350°F two-hour post cure). This flexibility provides a broad processing window with maximized mechanical properties. As CYCOM 5320 can be vacuum bag cured to produce autoclave-quality components, the non-recurring costs reduction offers a tangible financial benefit. Features and benefits: •         Developed for primary structures •         No autoclave required for cure •         Excellent hot/wet properties •         Mechanical properties equivalent to autoclave-cured toughened epoxy systems •         Very low void content •         Suitable for producing complex parts •         Enables low cost tooling •         Flexible cure cycles •         Mechanical properties equivalent to standard 350°F/177°C, autoclave cured epoxy after freestanding post cure   For additional information about Cytec 5320, please visit Cytec's website.   About Cytec 5276-1* CYCOM 5276-1 is a 350°F curing toughened epoxy resin with a service temperature range of -75°F to 250°F (-59°C to 121°C). This highly toughened resin is formulated with the most advanced epoxy chemistry, and is especially designed for improved handling during layup and assembly.   CYCOM 5276-1 is ideal for use in primary aircraft structures where critical load-bearing components are required. Features and benefits   Uncured: •         Excellent tack and drape •         Simple 2 hour, 350°F (175°C) cure cycle •         Excellent flow control •         Available in various product forms •         Open mold life greater than 40 days   Cured : • High damage tolerance • Meets BMS 8-276C and Bell 407 requirements • Co-cure capability   For additional information about Cytec 5276-1, please visit Cytec's website. *(content obtained from Cytec Engineered Materials)     The National Center for Advanced Materials Performance is located at the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University.  NCAMP’s goal is to take the composites industry to a self-regulating level similar to that achieved by the metals industry. This ambitious goal requires a strong level of support and participation from industry and government.