Cytec launches ground-breaking DForm fabric tooling prepreg BMI and epoxy

DForm, Deformable Composite System, is an innovative prepreg format that combines short fiber conformability with the handling and laminate characteristics of a conventional long fiber composite. DForm’s unique1 deformation characteristics are achieved through selective fiber slitting of a fabric prepreg.

DForm does not require detailed laminating. This prepreg system flows under pressure, replicating precise details, retaining thickness and fiber orientation and producing an excellent surface finish.

DForm Fabric Tooling Prepreg is commercialized as formatted multi-ply tiles of standard fabric tooling prepreg to which Cytec disruptive DForm technology has been applied, offering unmatched2 benefits to composite tooling manufacturers:

• DForm reduces lay-up time by approximately 75% thanks to the advanced material conformability and the multi-ply tile formatting, saving significant lay-up and de-bulking time.

• DForm’s dramatic3 impact on time of fabrication makes the overall tool manufacture much more cost efficient yet retaining the high quality surface finish that customers expect from composite tooling.

Brad Sawyer, CEO of Sawyer Composite said: “Cytec’s Technical service assisted us in trialing DForm BMI fabric tooling prepreg. We were impressed by the ability to quickly put down material allowing us to manufacture tools with greater efficiency compared to standard woven formats. For Sawyer, DForm combines the stability of BMI Tooling with a considerable reduction in layup time. We have several programs for 2015 that will be using DForm and look forward to applying the advantages of this unique tooling prepreg”.

Neil Cureton, Global Tooling Market Manager at Cytec Industries said: “Offering 4 times greater output from current lay-up staff and lower tool production costs, DForm fabric tooling prepreg will revolutionize the manufacture of composite tooling bringing a significant cost reduction to all manufacturers. Current manufacturers of epoxy tooling will benefit from lower production costs when using DForm Epoxy; and aerospace tool manufacturers will see DForm BMI as a cost-efficient alternative to invar”.

To find out more about DForm Fabric Tooling Prepreg and witness first-hand how your company could benefit from using this new product, visit Cytec’s stand D17 at JEC Europe 2015 and attend our demonstration in JEC’s demonstration area in Hall 7.1.

More information:www.cytec.com