Toray TC346 prepreg earns flame-retardancy certifications
Toray TC346 prepreg resin system offers high compression strength, interlaminar shear strength and more for the automotive and motorsport markets.
Source | Getty Images
Toray Advanced Composites (Morgan Hill, Calif., U.S.) announced on May 27 that its Toray TC346 prepreg resin system has passed the SFI 56.1 and UL94 V0 flame-retardancy tests. The distinction demonstrates the system’s ability to satisfy the demands of Formula One, NASCAR and other high-performance automotive and motorsport markets in attaining significant performance improvements.
A high-temperature epoxy system, Toray TC346 was engineered to handle a range of demanding motorsport applications, such as gearbox and suspension components, which require a high service temperature and high toughness. The material is said to offer high compression strength, high interlaminar shear strength, high in-plane shear modulus and good elevated temperature tensile strength. Further, the TC346 system offers a surface finish for aesthetic appeal and controlled resin flow to simplify lay-up and curing production.
According to Toray, other motorsport component applications that require lightweighting, high glass transition temperatures, high compression strength and high fractional toughness would also benefit from the prepreg’s properties. TC346 is available in a wide variety of uni-directional tapes and fabric styles.
Related Content
-
The still-promised potential of basalt fiber composites
Although the long-anticipated market surge in basalt fiber-reinforced polymer composites remains largely in the future, basalt fiber manufacturers are making headway over the technical and market hurdles toward large-scale application.
-
Materials & Processes: Fabrication methods
There are numerous methods for fabricating composite components. Selection of a method for a particular part, therefore, will depend on the materials, the part design and end-use or application. Here's a guide to selection.
-
Wet compression molding
Automated process cuts cycle time and cost for CFRP parts with potential for 65% fiber volume via Dynamic Fluid Compression Molding variant.