Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Chemical Family
- Polymer Name
- Composite Materials Functions
- Technologies
Features & Benefits
- Materials Features
- Benefits
- Ability to machine tool surface without distortion permitting the manufacture of tools with complex shapes and tight tolerances
- Lighter weight compared to metal tooling allowing easier handling and reduced infrastructure investment
- Faster heat-up and cool-down rates relative to metal tools facilitating reduced production costs
- Reparability and potential for modification of tool dimensions following engineering changes
- Formulated to withstand several hundred autoclave cycles at 180°C (356°F)
- Coefficient of thermal expansion to match carbon/epoxy
- Vacuum integrity following machining
- Rapid material deposition as HexTool® is much thicker than standard composite tooling prepregs
Applications & Uses
- Markets
- Composites Processing Methods
Properties
- Physical Form
- Mechanical Properties
- Cured Properties
- Uncured Properties
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Tensile Strength at 23°C (73°F) (Dry) | 260 (37.7) | MPa (ksi) | ASTMD3039 |
| Tensile Strength at 180°C (356°F) (Dry) | 210 (30.5) | MPa (ksi) | ASTMD3039 |
| Tensile Modulus at 23°C (73°F) (Dry) | 41 (5.95) | GPa (msi) | ASTMD3039 |
| Tensile Modulus at 180°C (356°F) (Dry) | 40 (5.80) | GPa (msi) | ASTMD3039 |
| Compression Strength at 23°C (73°F) (Dry) | 300 (43.5) | MPa (ksi) | ASTMD6484 |
| Compression Strength at 180°C (356°F) (Dry) | 270 (39.1) | MPa (ksi) | ASTMD6484 |
| Compression Modulus at 23°C (73°F) (Dry) | 32 (4.64) | GPa (msi) | ASTMD6484 |
| Compression Modulus at 180°C (356°F) (Dry) | 30 (4.35) | GPa (msi) | ASTMD6484 |
| Flexural Strength at 23°C (73°F) (Dry) | 380 (55.1) | MPa (ksi) | ASTMD790 |
| Flexural Modulus at 23°C (73°F) (Dry) | 38 (5.51) | GPa (msi) | ASTMD790 |
| Short Beam Shear Strength at 23°C (73°F) (Dry) | 50 (7.3) | MPa (ksi) | EN2563 |
| Short Beam Shear Strength at 180°C (356°F) (Dry) | 43 (6.2) | MPa (ksi) | EN2563 |
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| NCured Ply Thickness: HexTool® M61 (2000) | 1.27 (0.05) | mm | — |
| NCured Ply Thickness: HexTool® M61 (4000) | 2.54 (0.10) | mm (in.) | — |
| Tg Postcured | 275 (527) | °C (°F) | — |
| Maximum Use Temperature | 218 (425) | °C (°F) | — |
| Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion | (4.0 x 10^-6) | °C | — |
| Minimum Initial Cure Temperature | 190 (375) | °C | — |
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Nominal Resin Content | 38 | % | — |
| Nominal Bundle Size (Prepreg Strip Size) | 8.0 x 50 (0.315 x 1.97) | mm (in.) | — |
| Nominal HexTool® Ply Areal Weight | 2000 | g/m2 | — |
| Specific gravity | 1.55 | — | — |
| Autoclave Work life at 21°C (70°F) | 20 days | — | — |
| Storage Life | 12 months | — | — |
Technical Details & Test Data
- Typical Autoclave Cure Cycle
Specific cure cycles [temperature, pressure (amount and application of)] depend on autoclave type and dimensions, the extent and type of tooling used and the size and complexity of the lay-up. Please contact your local Hexcel Technical Support for consultation prior to cycle definition. The following cycles are typical for HexTool® M61.
Cure Cycle
Low Temp Cure Cycle and Post Cure
- Part must be fully thermocoupled prior to the start of the cure cycle (ref. HexTool User Guide); deviations from recommended thermocoupling procedure or from recommended cure cycle may result in unacceptable part quality.
- Establish 25 in. Hg vacuum on part for minimum of 60 minutes.
- Heat part at 0.25-0.5ºC/min to 107 ºC (0.5-1.0ºF/min to 225ºF).
- When leading TC reaches 49ºC +/- 2.5ºC introduce 7 barr pressure at max of 0.65 barr/minute (120ºF +/5ºF introduce 100 psi pressure at a max of 10 psi/min).
- When lagging TC reaches 107ºC +/- 2.5ºC begin 30 minute soak (225ºF +/-5ºF begin 30 minute +30/-0 min soak).
- Heat part at 0.25-0.5ºC /min to 135ºC (0.5-1.0ºF/min to 275ºF).
- When lagging TC reaches 135ºC +/-2.5ºC begin 30 minute +30/-0 min soak (275ºF +/-5ºF begin 30 min. +30/-0 minsoak).
- Heat part at 0.5-1.5ºC/min to 190ºC (1-3ºF/min to 375ºF).
- When lagging TC reaches 190ºC +/-2.5ºC begin 240 minute soak (375ºF +/-5ºF begin 240 min. +15/-0 minute soak).
- Cool part at maximum rate of 2.5ºC/min to 66ºC (5ºF/min. to 150ºF) before releasing pressure.
Free Standing Post Cure Cycle
- Heat up to 150°C (300°F) at 0.5°-2°C/min (1°-4°F/min)
- Heat up to 220°C (425°F) at 0.25°-1°C/min (0.5°-2°F/min)
- Hold at 220°C (425°F) for 16 hours
- Cool down at 0.5°C/min (1°F/min) to 150°C (300°F)
- Cool down at 1°C/min (2°F/min) to 60°C (140°F)
Storage & Handling
- Product Handling and Storage
Store the product in its original (or equivalent) sealed packaging at -18°C (0°F). Prevent condensation on the productby warming to room temperature before opening vapor barrier bag (reseal for subsequent storage). The usual precautions when handling uncured synthetic resins and fine fibrous materials should be observed, see Material Safety Data Sheet. The use of clean disposable impervious gloves provides protection for the operator and avoids contamination of material and components.