ened epoxy resin system supplied with unidirectional graphite fibers.
Typical reinforcement is continuous IM7 (intermediate modulus) graphite filaments. HexPly
®
8551-7 was developed
to operate in a temperature environment of up to 200ºF (93ºC). IM7/8551-7 is an extremely damage-resistant
system, recommended for structural applications requiring high strength, stiffness, and damage tolerance.
Conventional thermoset resin processing equipment and techniques can be used to process IM7/8551-7
prepreg tape.
Features
Service Temperature up to 200ºF (93ºC)
Extremely Damage-Resistant System
350ºF (177ºC) Cure
Neat Resin Properties
Density
1.272 gm/cc
T
g
dry
315ºF (157ºC)
T
g
wet
240ºF (116ºC)
Equilibrium moisture absorption
3.10%
Tensile strength
14.4 ksi
Tensile modulus
0.593 msi
Tensile strain
4.40%
Fracture toughness, K
1C
3.19 ksi in
Strain energy release rate, G
1C
5.46 in-lb/in
2
Gel time at 350ºF (177ºC)
816 min
Minimum viscosity
~19 poise at 265300ºF (129149ºC)
Tack life at RT
40 days
Standard cure
2 hrs at 350ºF (177ºC)
Physical Properties
Carbon Tape
Prepreg
% Resin content
3440
Areal weight GSM
90190
% Flow at
% Volatiles
1.0 max
Laminate
Cured thickness per ply (in)
Various
% Fiber volume
60
© Copyright Hexcel Corporation
® HexPly, Hexcel and the Hexcel logos are registered trademarks of Hexcel Corporation, Stamford, Connecticut HexPly
®
8551-7 Epoxy Matrix Product Data
Mechanical Properties
Property
Temp ºF (ºC)
Condition
AS4
IM7
0º Tensile strength, ksi
77 (25)
Dry
315
400
0º Tensile modulus, msi
77 (25)
Dry
21.0
23
0º Tensile elongation, %
77 (25)
Dry
1.40
1.64
90º Tensile strength, ksi
77 (25)
Dry 11
90º Tensile modulus, msi
77 (25)
Dry 1.21
90º Tensile elongation, %
77 (25)
Dry 1.0
Quasi tensile strength, ksi
77 (25)
Dry 135
Quasi tensile strength, ksi
77 (25)
Dry 8.4
Quasi tensile strength, ksi
77 (25)
Dry 1.58
0º Compression strength, ksi
77 (25)
Dry
230
235
0º Compression strength, ksi
180 (82)
Dry
205
200
0º Compression strength, ksi
250 (121)
Dry
180
185
0º Compression strength, ksi
180 (82)
Wet
170
160
0º Compression modulus, msi
77 (25)
Dry
20
21.5
0º Compression modulus, msi
180 (82)
Dry 21
0º Compression modulus, msi
250 (121)
Dry
18.4
22.1
0º Compression modulus, msi
180 (82)
Wet
17.8
20.7
0º Compression modulus, msi
220 (104)
Wet
18.7
21.7
Compression after impact, ksi
Unimpacted
77 (25)
Dry 85
After 500 in-inlb/in impact
77 (25)
Dry 67
After 1,500 in-inlb/in impact
77 (25)
Dry
44
50
After 2,000 in-inlb/in impact
77 (25)
Dry 47
After 2,500 in-inlb/in impact
77 (25)
Dry 44
After 3,000 in-inlb/in impact
77 (25)
Dry 33
Short beam shear, ksi
77 (25)
Dry
15.5
14.5
Short beam shear, ksi
180 (82)
Dry
12.3
11.5
Short beam shear, ksi
250 (121)
Dry
9.5
10
Short beam shear, ksi
180 (82)
Wet
12
10
Short beam shear, ksi
250 (121)
Wet
7.3
8.2
Short beam shear, ksi
265 (129)
Wet 5.8
0º Flexural strength, ksi
77 (25)
Dry
247 0º Flexural modulus, msi
77 (25)
Dry
17.9 In-plane ± 45 tensile shear strength, ksi
77 (25)
Dry 17.0
In-plane ± 45 tensile shear modulus, msi
77 (25)
Dry 0.85
Open hole compression strength, ksi
77 (25)
Dry
44
42
Open hole compression strength, ksi
180 (82)
Wet
38
37
Open hole compression strength, ksi
220 (104)
Wet 36 Cure Cycle
Cure Procedure
Autoclave
1. Apply full vacuum and 15 psig pressure.
2. Heat at 35ºF (1.83ºC)/minute to 225ºF (107ºC).
3. Hold at 225ºF (107ºC) for 3060 minutes.
4. Raise pressure to 85100 psigvent vacuum when pressure reaches 30 psig.
5. Raise temperature to 350ºF (177ºC) at 35ºF (1.83ºC)/minute.
6. Hold at 350ºF (177ºC) for 120 ± 10 minutes.
7. Cool at 25ºF (1.23ºC) to 150ºF (66ºC) and vent pressure.
High Strength, Damage-Resistant, Structural Epoxy Matrix
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0
50
100 150 200
250 300
T
emperatur
e F (C) & Pr
e
ss
ur
e (p
s
ig)
Time (min)
Hold 120 10 min
35F (1.83C) min
35F (1.83C)/min
Apply full vacuum
Vent vacuum @ 30 psig
Temp
Pressure
Vacuum
225F (107C)
Hold 3060 min
(204)
(177)
(149)
(121)
(93)
(66)
(38)
(10)
(18) HexPly
®
8551-7 Epoxy Matrix Product Data
Storage
HexPly
®
8551-7 prepreg should be sealed in a polyethylene bag and refrigerated, preferably below 32°F (0°C).
Following removal from refrigerated source, allow the prepreg to reach room temperature before opening the
polyethylene bag to prevent moisture condensation.
Shelf Life
12 months at 0°F (18°C)
4 months at 40°F (4°C)
10 days at 70°F (21°C)
Shipping
Prepreg is usually shipped in a sealed polyethylene bag.
Disposal of Scrap
Disposal of this material should be in a secure landfill in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Handling and Safety Precautions
Hexcel recommends that customers observe established precautions for handling resins and fine fibrous materials.
Operators working with this product should wear clean, impervious gloves to reduce the possibility of skin contact
and to prevent contamination of the material.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) have been prepared for all Hexcel products and are available to company
safety officers on request from your nearest Hexcel Sales Office.
October 2005
Important
Hexcel Corporation believes, in good faith, that the technical data and other information provided herein is materially accurate as of the
date this document is prepared. Hexcel reserves the right to modify such information at any time. The performance values in this data
sheet are considered representative but do not and should not constitute specification minima. The only obligations of Hexcel, including
warranties, if any, will be set forth in a contract signed by Hexcel or in Hexcel's then current standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as set
forth on the back of Hexcel's Order Acknowledgement.
For more Information
Hexcel is a leading worldwide supplier of composite materials to aerospace and other demanding industries. Our
comprehensive product range includes:
Carbon Fiber
RTM Materials
Honeycomb Cores
Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics
Carbon, Glass, Aramid and Hybrid Prepregs
For US quotes, orders and product information call toll-free 1-800-688-7734. For other worldwide sales office
telephone numbers and a full address list please click here:
http://www.hexcel.com/contact/salesoffices
.
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