Stamford based Hexcel has added to its current material portfolio, HexPEKK EM; that was manufactured by using the aerospace industry qualified HexAM process. It was developed as an electrically conductive, high-performance, PEKK-based thermoplastic carbon fiber composite additive manufacturing material; and formulated specifically to meet the static electricity management, electromagnetic shielding, and radiation absorption requirements of advanced aircraft applications. At the same time, the cost and time saving material also covers a wide area of use.
Hexcel, a leading advanced composite company, develops, manufactures and markets light and high performance structural materials. The company recently launched HexPEKK EM, electromagnetic shielding and radar absorptive technology. Underlining that HexPEKK EM’s unique structural and electrical functionality will make it possible to manufacture extremely complex aerostructures, Hexcel announced that HexPEKK EM components, offering an industry-leading performance, will be produced at Hexcel’s Hartford (CT) plant. Hexcel explained that they continue to develop the HexAM additive manufacturing process using powder bed fusion technology to fundamentally improve the way the world’s aircraft components are manufactured.
In aerospace industry unlimited design flexibility, low cost
By integrating this enhanced electromagnetic (EM) performance into additive manufactured components, HexPEKK EM parts do not require costly and time-consuming secondary processing steps, such as the application of conductive coating for the management of electromagnetic interference or radiation absorption. Vice President of Additive Manufacturing at Hexcel, Lawrence Varholak remarked that the management of static electricity dissipation, electromagnetic interference, and radiation absorption is extremely important in the design of all air vehicles. Saying that the introduction of this advanced additive manufacturing material would enable the fabrication of extremely complex aerostructures with unparalleled structural and electrical functionality, Varholak stated that it significantly reduces weight and cost while providing unlimited design flexibility.
HexPEKK EM cover a broad range of products
HexPEKK EM integrates advanced EM performance within complex 3D printed components for the Commercial Aerospace, Defense, and Military sectors. Target applications for HexPEKK EM cover a broad range of products such as; exterior surfaces, leading edges, air inlets, electronic enclosures, and cockpit structures for commercial airplanes, military aircraft, helicopters, and UAV components. Manufactured using the aerospace industry qualified HexAM process; HexPEKK EM components exhibit best-in-class environmental, operational temperature, and chemical resistant performance attainable in the aerospace industry. These components are also flight-ready after printing.