BMW M-Series carbon-fibre roof

HEXCEL - © Hexcel

© Hexcel

HexForce® NC2® reinforcements have been selected by BMW for the inner structural layer of the carbon-fibre roof of its M-series cars. Hexcel’s NC2® patented technology enables carbon-fibre multiaxial reinforcements to be produced that are flat, lightweight and provide more uniform coverage than conventional Non-Crimp Fabrics (NCF). This is a major advantage when producing thin composite structures requiring a cosmetic appearance.

HexForce® NC2® is Hexcel’s non crimp technology that provides strength and stiffness exactly where required taking advantage of the use of unidirectional tapes that are joined by a novel stitching technology. NC2® allows great flexibility of fibre orientation with unmatched widths (up to 2500 mm) and width adjustment capabilities.

In addition to NC2®, Hexcel has been supplying BMW for several years with HexForce® PrimeTex® 3K spread fabrics for the outer skin of the carbon-fibre roof.
Hexcel’s unique weaving experience combined with new spreading technology allows the aesthetic specifications of BMW to be met.

HexForce® PrimeTex™ fabrics have been processed to provide a very close weave and uniform cosmetic appearance. Hexcel has patents covering its innovative PrimeTex™ spreading processes.

Supplying products tailored to the requirements for the M-series roof was challenging for 3 main reasons: very specific reinforcement widths are required, with tight thickness tolerances and large volume production.

” Hexcel is proud to continue supplying the M-series year after year. We are committed to developing innovative sustainable and industrial composite solutions for demanding markets such as the automotive industry. Our entire product range - from HexTow® carbon fibers and Redux® adhesives, to HexWeb® honeycomb and HexPly® prepregs – has been qualified over the years for renowned high performance car programmes. We have been able to adapt our product range in line with the evolution in design engineering, processing and cost constraints. We are now eager to face the next challenging steps and to help high performance composites break through into larger volume models…” says Claude Despierres, Industry Sales & Marketing Manager Europe.

To focus on the challenges and meet the growing demand for composites in high performance industrial applications, like the BMW M-series, Hexcel has formed a dedicated European business group. The new group has been established to maximise growth opportunities by optimizing Hexcel’s products and capabilities so that they meet the special requirements of performance-driven industrial markets including Automotive and Alternative Energy.

Hexcel’s unique range of carbon fibers, reinforcement fabrics, prepregs, high end carbon compounds, honeycombs and adhesives are providing designers with innovative solutions to the challenges of saving weight and enhancing performance. Recent technological advances enable Hexcel customers to achieve added-value from composite materials with designed-in features that provide, for example, an optimum surface finish, high temperature resistance or enhanced toughness.

About Hexcel
Hexcel Corporation is a leading advanced composites company. It develops, manufactures and markets lightweight, high-performance structural materials, including carbon fibres, reinforcements for composites, prepregs, honeycomb, matrix systems, adhesives and composite structures, used in commercial aerospace, space and defence and industrial applications.

Source : Hexcel

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