Concordia Fibers : Product Capabilities : Advanced Composites

Aerospace
US Air Force

Situation:
The United States Air Force was anxious to develop tougher lightweight composite structures for their advanced fighter jets. They determined that to do this a new class of thermoplastic composite materials had to be developed to replace more traditional epoxy based materials.

Results:
Concordia developed a process for commingling advanced thermoplastic fibers (PEEK, PPS) with carbon fibers. The resulting yarns could be woven into fabrics which, with the application of heat and pressure in a mold, became advance composite parts. The process was so successful that Hoechst, Phillips, BASF, and several others offered to market the material for Concordia. Concordia chose to partner with BASF who ended up controlling that segment of the business.





		Aerospace US Air Force Situation: The United States Air Force was anxious to develop tougher lightweight composite structures for their advanced fighter jets. They determined that to do this a new class of thermoplastic composite materials had to be developed to replace more traditional epoxy based materials. Results: Concordia developed a process for commingling advanced thermoplastic fibers (PEEK, PPS) with carbon fibers. The resulting yarns could be woven into fabrics which, with the application of heat and pressure in a mold, became advance composite parts. The process was so successful that Hoechst, Phillips, BASF, and several others offered to market the material for Concordia. Concordia chose to partner with BASF who ended up controlling that segment of the business.