2014 Issue

53 A T HEXCEL, WE develop and manufacture advanced composite materials (made by combining two or more dissimilar materials such as fibers and resins to create a product with exceptional structural properties not present in the original materials). Composites are part of our daily life in the 21st century: in the cars, boats, trains, and planes that carry you to your destinations near and far. Our products are as close as the golf clubs and skis you find at the local sporting goods shop and as distant as satellites orbiting the earth. We are known as a world leader in the manufacturing of advanced composite materials, serving industries in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and the industrial markets. In fact, Hexcel Corporation has been the pioneer of composite technology development for 68 years. The first airplanes, such as the one theWright Brothers used during their first flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903, were constructed of wood and fabric. As the interest in flying grew, airplane designs began to change, and the materials used in their manufacture began to evolve with them. By the time World War II broke out, the wood and fabric design had been replacedwith an all-metal aircraft. Most commercial aircraft, such as Boeing’s 737, were also an all-metal de- sign. As engineers continued to develop new concepts for aircraft capable of longer flights with the capacity to carrymore passengers, lightweight composite materials, which had formerly been used in defense aircraft and non-aerospace applications, became a prime contender in structural parts for commercial aircraft. For the Boe- ing 777, twelve percent of the aircraft is composed of composite materials including the tail section. The success experienced in reducing weight and improving structural integrity has led to the utilization of composites in 50%of the structure for the Boeing 787. Hexcel forged the development of composite materials to meet the requirements of early aircraft manufacturers. Groundbreaking projects included the construction of a full scale wing spar in flax fiber reinforced phenol formaldehyde resin for a Bristol “Blenheim” Hexcel – at the Hear t of Advanced CompositesTechnology HEXCEL | continued on page 54 By Stephanie Dunning, Product Manager - Space and Defense, Salt Lake City Matrix, Hexcel and Rachel Owen, Corporate Communications Manager, Hexcel Corporation Hexcel’s Salt Lake City Manufacturing Facility consisting of five buildings, a receiving warehouse, and a materials testing facility. Carbon Uni-tape Prepreg Carbon Fiber Yarn