Prepreg refers to the composition of resin matrix and reinforcement that can be stored by impregnating the resin matrix with continuous fibers or fabrics under strictly controlled conditions.
Prepreg is an intermediate material in the manufacture of composite materials, and its pros and cons are directly related to the quality of composite materials. During application, the prepreg is cured by thermal polymerization, and once cured, the thermosetting resin is fully cross-linked to form a corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant, lightweight and high-strength composite material.
The prepared composite material has been widely used in aerospace, wind power generation, high-speed rail, automobile, fishing gear, rowing and other fields.
There are many classification methods of prepregs, and the reinforcing fibers used are mainly carbon fibers and glass fibers. The most commonly used classification methods are thermosetting prepregs and thermoplastic prepregs.
The matrix resin of thermosetting prepreg is mainly epoxy resin, phenolic resin, benzoxazine, bismaleimide, polyimide and other thermosetting resins.
The matrix resin of thermoplastic prepreg is mainly thermoplastic resin such as polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfide and polyethersulfone.
Thermosetting resin has mature technology and stable performance. It is the mainstream matrix resin of prepreg and has been widely used in the aerospace field.
However, thermoplastic prepregs are also developing rapidly, and related technologies have made breakthroughs in the main structural parts of Airbus aircraft.
Prepreg has a wide range of applications, and aerospace is its main application area, including civil aircraft, jet fighters, helicopters, aero engines, satellites and rockets.
At present, the process technology of aviation composite materials is relatively mature, and it has achieved a wide range of applications in aircraft and engines. North America is currently the largest market for aerospace composites, with a market share of about 58%, followed by Europe with about 38%.
Hexcel and Solvay each have about 40% of the carbon fiber prepreg market, with an equal market share, and the two companies together occupy the global prepreg market leadership.
in China
BJZH Composites Technology Corporation dominates the aerospace carbon fiber prepreg field.
The products have been used in a variety of aircraft, and its carbon fiber prepreg production capacity is sufficient, occupying a leading position in China's aviation composite products, and has strong customer resource advantages in the downstream market.
The other two suppliers: JSHS and WHGW have a slightly lower market share of carbon fiber prepregs.