Composites

Pre-impregnated (prepreg) materials

Most modern aircraft aerostructure parts are made by composite pre-impregnated materials (prepregs).

Prepregs are reinforced fibers or fabrics into which a pre-catalyzed resin has been impregnated. The resin in these materials reacts only very slowly at room temperature, providing work-time before curing in an oven (Autoclave). The prepreg resins can only be fully cured by heating to the prescribed cure temperature. The prepreg materials technique creates a higher fiber-content than can be achieved by wet lay-up techniques. Therefore, the prepreg materials achieve (after curing) a much better strength\weight ratio.

Due to the strength\weight ratio, resistance to chemicals, forming capabilities and other factors, these materials are widely used in the aircraft industry. Incorporating composite materials into aircraft has reached an unprecedented level in commercial composites beam, of which will be produced in Georgia at ATC.