𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭-𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

#Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. announces the launch of #3960FC, a fast-cure variant of the high-performance, highly toughened 3960 prepreg system. Engineered for mission-critical aerospace and #defense applications, this #fastcure system reduces cure time by up to 45% while maintaining the proven mechanical performance of the 3960 system.

As the aerospace industry enters a new era of large-scale production, driven by exceptionally high production rates for next-gen single-aisle commercial aircraft programs, advanced air mobility platforms, and new mission-critical, mass-produced defense systems, manufacturers require advanced composite materials that deliver both mechanical performance and processing efficiency. 3960-FC was developed to help OEMs and their supply chains meet these increasing build-rate requirements.

“Increased pressure is being placed on material suppliers to provide a structural material solution with production rates now higher than what manufacturers have historically supported,” said Jeff Cross, principal director of defense programs. “3960-FC accelerates manufacturing cycles while maintaining the mechanical and structural performance customers expect from our premier product, the 3960 prepreg system, by demonstrating equivalence with the material data in the 3960 NCAMP database.

Designed for High-Rate Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing

Building on the material capability of 3960, 3960-FC delivers exceptional toughness, hot/wet performance, tensile strength, stiffness, and damage tolerance. The material is also highly compatible with a broad range of automated manufacturing technologies, including #AutomatedFiberPlacement (AFP) and Automated Tape Laying (ATL), and traditional processing methods.

3960-FC Prepreg Sandwich Panel

Additionally, the fast-cure variant enhances prototype capabilities by enabling the use of lower-temperature tooling, which reduces tooling costs, while expanding vacuum-bag-only (VBO) processing windows. The material is also capable of compression molding consolidation, helping customers further reduce takt times and lower manufacturing costs. Unlike many accelerated epoxy systems, 3960-FC exhibits a low exotherm risk for thick structures.

Product Highlights

*Proven mechanical properties equivalent to the 3960 NCAMP database

*Up to 45% reduction in cure time vs. 3960 autoclave cure

*Low exotherm risk compared to other accelerated epoxy systems

*Enables prototyping using lower-cost, lower-temperature tooling

*Improved vacuum bag only (VBO) and compression molding consolidation options

Target applications for 3960-FC include primary aircraft structures, mid- to large-size #UAVs, launch vehicles and #rockets, and #rotorcraftstructures.

source : Toray