AIRPOXY

AIRPOXY reduces the production and maintenance costs of composite parts in the aeronautic sector by introducing a novel family of thermoset composites that preserve all the advantages of conventional thermosets but can also be reprocessed, repaired and even recycled.

To achieve so, project partners develop and validate a family of ground-breaking thermoset resins recently patented by CIDETEC, AIRPOXY coordinator, that preserves their high performance, in terms of easy fiber impregnation and overall stability, while showing new unprecedented features.

During the project, the thermoset resins will be brought from proof of concept (TRL3) to validation in industrial environment (TRL5), through two representative demonstrators of aircraft panels. The novel technology will allow to reduce manufacturing cost of carbon reinforced composites (CFRC) parts by 35%, reducing processing times from hours to minutes, cut down composites bonding costs by up to 50% and downsize the current MRO costs associated to the reparation or replacement of carbon fiber reinforced thermoset parts, fostering competitiveness & sustainability in the European aeronautics sector.

Eurecat’s Composite Materials Unit participates in AIRPOXY by optimizing and adapting the RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) process for the fabrication of composite structural parts using the innovative 3R resin developed during the project. In addition, the team works actively defining and executing specific mechanical tests for the aeronautical sector. In parallel, Eurecat leads the LCA and LCC and the effects for human health.

AIRPOXY relies on a multidisciplinary consortium of 11 partners from 6 countries; CIDETEC as resin inventor, the Institut fuer Verbundwekstoffe as key technology providers (thermoforming & welding), Eurecat as experts in RTM, Coexpair as expert in SQRTM, the University of Ionnina with their experience in SHM; Altair Engineering France  and their process simulation software, the aircraft components manufacturers  Eircomposites Teoranta, Ingenieria y Desarrollos en Composite S.L. y la Société Nationale de Construction Aerospatiale Sonaca SA, UNE, as standardization experts and the aeroconsultancy ARTTIC.