Project description
Aerospace materials that fly beyond limits
In aerospace manufacturing, the need for materials capable of withstanding high temperatures while maintaining structural integrity is paramount. Conventional composites often fall short in this aspect, posing risks of fire hazards and limited durability in extreme conditions. As such, innovative solutions are required that ensure safety, performance and environmental sustainability. To meet this need, the EIC-funded C-PREG 400 project will advance a high-temperature composite of the same name developed by Italian research company Nano-Tech. C-PREG 400 boasts unparalleled fire resistance, mechanical prowess and eco-friendliness. Ideal for aerospace, it is 5.2 times lighter than steel and 44 % lighter than aluminium. Initially targeting secondary structures like panels and doors, project work will later tackle primary components like fuselages and wings.
Objective
C-PREG 400 is an exceptional high-temperature composite developed by NanoTech, utilizing a patented inorganic resin formulation. This composite is inherently non-flammable and stable at high temperatures, making it heat-resistant. It is the first market-ready inorganic composite that can withstand working temperatures of up to 400C in an oxidant environment and short-term exposure to 500C. The material can be processed using the same methods as other common prepregs, including compression molding, hot plate presses, or vacuum bagging techniques.
The properties of this groundbreaking material are outstanding:
Maximum service temperature of up to 400C in its polymeric state
Superior fire resistance with lower smoke release and toxicity, certified for high Fire Smoke Toxicity performance
Excellent mechanical properties
High recyclability (approximately 85% of the material)
Low environmental impact
Lightweight, being 5.2 times lighter than steel and 44% lighter than aluminum.
The intended end users of C-PREG 400 are aerospace components manufacturers, who are responsible for producing equipment and parts applied in high-temperature environments. Nano-Tech will initially focus on addressing the secondary structures segment, which includes interior panels, doors, seats, luggage racks, and air ducts. This segment is characterized by a lighter certification process. Then, Nano-Tech will expand its focus to primary structure manufacturing, involving nacelles, high-temperature ducts, fans, fuselages, and wings.
The market potential for C-PREG 400 is exceptional. The Total Available Market is the aerospace composite materials sector, projected to reach a value of 8.7 billion by 2027 and experiencing a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 12%. Initially, C-PREG 400 will be introduced as prepregs designed for high-temperature applications, focusing on flame retardancy and smoke toxicity solutions. This segment is estimated to have a value of 800m by 2027.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
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Programme(s)
- HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended FinanceCoordinator
63100 Ascoli Piceno
Italy
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.