HexPly ® M78.1

HexPly ®  M78.1

HexPly ® M78.1

Product catalog summary
Description
HexPly® M78.1 is a hot melt epoxy resin matrix designed for prepreg applications requiring short cure cycles at temperatures ≥110°C. It is suitable for economic and environmentally friendly manufacturing of industrial composites. The resin is based on a modified, toughened epoxy with a highly reactive curative package, allowing curing within 7 minutes at 120°C and a shelf-life of at least 2 weeks at ambient conditions. It supports a range of processing temperatures from 110°C to 160°C and offers excellent adhesion to materials like aluminum, wood, thermoplastics, and elastomers.

Benefits and Features
  • Versatile cure cycles: 110 – 160°C, 18-1.5 minutes respectively.
  • Optimum cure cycle: 25 -120°C at 20 °C/minute, 7 minutes at 120°C.
  • Shelf life: ≥2 weeks at +23°C.
  • Excellent adhesion to core materials through controlled flow technology.
  • Suitable for thin and thick laminates and pressure moulding processes (1 to 10 bar).
  • Good flexibility, handling, and adhesion to moulds.
  • Good surface finish and full REACH compliance.
  • Solvent-free and non-aggressive.

Resin Matrix Properties
  • Dynamic Thermal Properties: Cure range -40 to 270°C @10°C/min, TOnset 110 – 125°C, TPeak 130 – 140°C, Enthalpy 250-400 J/g.
  • Isothermal Cure Properties: Cure times range from 18 minutes at 110°C to 1.5 minutes at 160°C.
  • Tg after 5 minutes at 130°C: 125°C.
  • Density: 1.1-1.25 g/cm³, Color: Milky.
  • Dynamic Viscosity: Minimum 13.5 Pas @80°C.

Prepreg-Types and Mechanical Properties
Various prepreg types are detailed with specific reinforcement, fiber weight, orientation, cured ply thickness, weight, resin content, resin flow, tensile strength, and tensile modulus. Mechanical data is based on a cure cycle of 130°C, 15 min, 5 bar.

Curing Conditions
  • Recommended heat-up rate: 5 - 25°C/min.
  • Recommended cure cycle: 25-120°C at 20°C/min, 7 minutes at 120°C.
  • Pressure range: 1-10 bars.

Storage Stability
  • Out-life at +23°C: ≥ 2 weeks.
  • Out-life at -18°C: 18 months.

Precautions for Use
Standard precautions for handling uncured synthetic resins and fibrous materials should be observed. A Safety Data Sheet is available.

Contact Information
Hexcel is a leading supplier of composite materials. For US quotes, orders, and product information, call toll-free 1-800-688-7734. For other worldwide sales office numbers, visit: Hexcel Sales Office.
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Catalog excerpts

HexPly ®  M78.1-1

110 – 160°C Curing Epoxy Matrix Product Data Sheet Description HexPly® M78.1 is a formulated, hot melt epoxy resin matrix, especially designed for prepreg applications where short cure cycles using temperatures ≥110°C are required. Due to its high reactivity, HexPly® M78.1 can be used for economic, environmentally friendly and fast manufacture of industrial composites. HexPly® M78.1 is based on a modified, toughened epoxy resin and a highly reactive curative package applicable for pre-impregnation into carbon, glass or aramide fibers, combining the outstanding feature of being curable within e.g, 7 minutes at 120°C and with a shelf-life of at least 2 weeks at ambient conditions. The versatility of HexPly® M78.1 allows a range of processing temperatures, recommended from 110°C up to 160°C. Following a cure cycle in the recommended range, HexPly® M78.1 demonstrates superior mechanical properties and high glass transition temperatures. The controlled-flow characteristics of HexPly® M78.1 offers excellent adhesion to auxiliary and core materials like aluminum, wood, thermoplastics and elastomers. The solvent-free, non-corrosive character of HexPly® M78.1 offsets the commonly known drawbacks of in-house prepreg systems that typically include hazardous components causing limitations regarding environmental, health and safety conditions. Benefits and Features ¥¥ Versatile, short cure cycles:110 – 160°C, 18-1.5 minutes respectively ¥¥ Optimum cure cycle 25 -120°C at 20 °C/minute, 7 minutes at120 °C ¥¥ Outstanding shelf life performance, ≥2 weeks at+23°C ¥¥ Excellent adhesion to core materials (wood, aluminum, thermoplastics, elastomers) by controlled flow technology ¥¥ Suitable for thin and thick laminates ¥¥ Well adapted to pressure moulding processes, suitable for a range of pressures (1 to 10 bar) ¥¥ Good flexibility, convenient handling and good adhesion to moulds by low tack ¥¥ Good surface finish ¥¥ Full REACH compliance ¥¥ Solvent-free, non-aggressive, no observable exposure limits Resin Matrix Properties Dynamic Thermal Properties by DSC (ISO 11357-5)

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HexPly ®  M78.1-2

110-160°C Curing Epoxy Matrix ^ Product Data Sheet Isothermal Cure Properties by DSC Temperature Cure Time (95%)* Dynamic Viscosity Minimum Viscosity: 13.5 Pas @80°C (controlled flow technology) Copyright ©2016- Hexcel Corporation - All Rights Reserved.

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HexPly ®  M78.1-3

110 – 160°C Curing Epoxy Matrix Product Data Sheet Prepreg-Types and Mechanical Properties after Curing Reinforcement Product Mechanical Properties Physical Properties Resin Resin Tensile Tensile Weight Content Flow Strength Modulus [g/m²] [%] [%] [MPa] [GPa] Mechanical data are based on a cure cycle of 130°C, 15 min, 5 bar. Curing Conditions ¥¥ Recommended heat-up rate: 5 - 25°C/min ¥¥ Recommended cure cycle: 25-120°C at 20°C/min, 7 minutes at 120°C ¥¥ Pressure range: 1-10 bars The optimum cure cycle, heat-up rate and dwell period is dependent on component size, layup construction, oven capacity...

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HexPly ®  M78.1-4

110 – 160°C Curing Epoxy Matrix Product Data Sheet For more information Hexcel is a leading worldwide supplier of composite materials to aerospace and industrial markets. Our comprehensive range includes: ¥¥ HexTow® carbon fibers ® ¥¥ HexForce reinforcements ¥¥ HexPly® prepregs ¥¥ HexMC® molding compounds RTM resins ® ¥¥ Redux adhesives ¥¥ HexTOOL® tooling materials ¥¥ HexWeb® honeycombs honeycomb ¥¥ Engineered ¥¥ Engineered core products 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...

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*Prices are pre-tax. They exclude delivery charges and customs duties and do not include additional charges for installation or activation options. Prices are indicative only and may vary by country, with changes to the cost of raw materials and exchange rates.