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Nelcote E-746 Epoxy Prepreg, 3k 5HS Carbon Reinforced

Nelcote E-746 Epoxy Prepreg, 3k 5HS Carbon Reinforced is a high strength, prepreg material compatible
with all types of resins. It has a tensile strength of 7200 PSI and a flexural modulus at 76% elongation of
3600 psi. The grade has a carbon content of 2.5%, and no formaldehyde as a binder is present. It has a glass
transition temperature of 22 °F at 73% humidity.

Nelcote E-746 is ideal for pressure vessels where we need high strength, lightweight, and semi-rigid material.
This material has an epoxy resin castable into a fiber-reinforced, biaxial interlaminar fiber mat. We taper and
connect the fiber with varying amounts of core reinforcing fibers. As a result, the carbon content in the
primers reduces to 2.5%.

The material is of high strength and stiffness. However, it is also lightweight, significantly expanding the
membrane area for use in lightweight structures where weight savings are critical.

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Table of Contents

Carbon Reinforced Nelcote E-746

The material has two phases, the outer microfibers, and the inner matrix. The fibers in this combination
provide excellent strength and stiffness largely due to their high volume weight. As a result, Nelcote can be
helpful in very lightweight structures.

Nelcote E-746 material is an interlaminar fiber prepreg with a woven structure of biaxially oriented rays of
pre-impregnated carbon fiber mats with a maximum of 1% carbon content. Rayming PCB &
Assembly strengthen and make the structure semi-rigid by adding a resin-reinforced glass mat binder into
the mass. The fibers also have glass fibers and epoxy resin reinforcement.

The material can help in light to medium weight structures because of its high tensile strength, stiffness
values, and low weight. We can find two types of applications. The first is a carbon fiber reinforced polymer
composite, where the carbon reinforcement is between 0.2% and 3%, and the prepreg content is between
15% and 25%. This material can be helpful for pressure vessels in aircraft, rockets, spacecraft, and oil rigs.
The other application is a structural material where we require low weight and minimal strength.

Nelcote E-746 mechanical properties

The material has two phases, the outer microfibers, and the inner matrix. The fibers in this combination
provide excellent strength and stiffness largely due to their high volume weight. As a result, Nelcote can be
helpful in very lightweight structures.

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As with all carbon fiber materials, Nelcote E-746 consists of carbon fibers produced by pyrolyzing organic
compounds such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or rayon or carbonizing cotton or wool. We refer to these
organic compounds as “precursors.” Carbon fibers also come from pitches derived from pine and other
sources. We carbonize the precursors to produce “raw” carbon blacks (RCB). These RCBs are then purified
by “capping,” which reacts with an acidic solution to create carbonates, waxes, and other materials.

Once the RCB is fully purified, we process it into large quantities of thinly rolled fibers in a process known
as spinning. Spinning occurs when we force a polymer solution through a cylinder of fibers at high pressure
and temperatures to draw them into fine threads. We then collect the resulting fibers into bales for processing
into carbon fibers.

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Nelcote E-746 electrical properties

Unlike most carbon fiber prepregs, E-746 is not a two-phase material. Nelcote E-746 fibers
are polyimide and phenolic impregnated and interwoven with the epoxy resin used to hold the fibers together
in a cohesive matrix. This matrix is then reinforced by impregnating the fiber core with resin. The fibers are
highly conductive, so we use them in electrical products. The high electrical conductivity of carbon fiber
makes it possible to achieve a high degree of electrical isolation between components in a multi-layered
printed circuit. We can cure the epoxy resin by heat or UV light.

Due to the micro-layered construction of E-746, it is essential in 4 layer PCBs and, more recently, in 3
layer PCBs at several companies and universities, including MIT, Intel, the University of Michigan, and
Ford Motor Company.

Nelcote E-746 Physical properties

Nelcote E-746 is an interlaminar fiber prepreg with a woven structure of biaxially oriented rays of
pre-impregnated carbon fiber mats with a maximum of 1% carbon content. The structure is strengthened and
made semi-rigid by adding a resin-reinforced glass mat binder into the mass.

Volatiles: Less than 2% (approximate)

Nelcote E-746 Thermal properties

When we cure Nelcote E-746 as a one-side laminate in an oven, it has a glass transition temperature of
approximately 230 °C.

This process involves heating the material above its glass transition temperature. When we apply heat to the
material, the resin becomes viscous and flows through the fiber weave to create a uniform cross-linked
structure throughout the laminate. This process is called autoclave cure.

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In a resin transfer molding (RTM) process, we force the cured prepreg into a mold and then heated. The heat
causes the resin to flow through the fiber structure and cure.

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Key Features and Benefits:

1. Meets MIL-R-9300B Type II requirements: Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) and Carbon
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CRFP).

2. Good electrical properties for RF applications: conductivity 25.6×10 S/m, dielectric constant (dielectric
strength) 6.5, tensile and compressive strengths > 15 MPa and > 2 GPa respectively, loss tangent < 0.03.

3. Long ambient out-time for maximum process flexibility: stable for at least 60 days at >140 °C.

4. Soft tack and drape properties: perfect for functional and aesthetic laminate adhesion.

5. Meets flammability requirements: UL94 flame retardant, ASTM D-3843 Type I and II.

6. Excellent retention of mechanical properties: 1% carbon content and maximum 25% resin-reinforced glass
mat binder.

Application

Nelcote E-746 is up to six times stronger than steel, with a higher strength-to-weight ratio, and could exceed
current regulations. The material has also been very lightweight due to the layers of glass fibers in the fiber
structure. However, this weight advantage is offset by the material’s high density, making it less suitable for
pressurized applications.

Carbon fiber composites have already found their way into the aerospace industry and are helpful in aircraft
and rockets. This is due to their lightweight, high stiffness, and low-density properties. These properties
make carbon composites ideal for aircraft like the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, which requires a high
strength-to-weight ratio. They are also helpful as payload fairings on rockets because they can be lightweight
enough to carry small satellites into orbit.

1. Fairings:

Small satellites such as CubeSat and MicroSat are very small because they do not require a lot of structure.
However, they are still large enough to place it into orbit. Carbon fiber composites are a good option for
making these lightweight payload fairings because they can make these fairings stiff enough to hold the
satellite but make them light enough for the rocket to carry into orbit.

2. Inlet Ducts:

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The inlet ducts of aircraft are suitable to speed up the airflow from the engine inlet towards the engine.
However, because the airflow has a high velocity, it can create a lot of drag. Carbon fiber composites can be
helpful to make these inlet ducts because they are light enough for the aircraft to carry but stiff enough to
reduce drag.

3. Nacelles:

The nacelles of aircraft are suitable to house the engines and control systems. However, these components
are very heavy so they can create a lot of drag. Carbon fiber composites can be helpful to make these
nacelles because they are light enough for the aircraft to carry and stiff enough to reduce the drag created by
these components.

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4. Radomes:

Radomes are typically helpful to protect electronic components on aircraft. We can use carbon fiber
composites for radomes because they are light enough for the aircraft to carry and stiff enough to reduce the
drag created by these components.

5. Secondary Aircraft Structures:

The wings and fuselage of an aircraft carry most of the load of the aircraft. Because these components have a
high weight, they can create a lot of drag. Carbon fiber composites can be helpful to make these components
because they are light enough for the aircraft to carry and stiff enough to reduce the drag created by these
components.

Carbon fiber composites are helpful in military vehicles such as tanks and land vehicles to make these
vehicles lighter in weight while maintaining their safety.

Conclusion

Nelcote E-746 has a high strength-to-weight ratio and can be helpful for various military and civilian
applications. In addition, carbon fiber composites have found their way into the automotive industry and are
making their way into many different vehicle parts. These parts include the roof, engine, and transmission of
automobiles and safety components such as automotive airbags and crash absorbers.

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Related Posts:

1. Nelcote E-720 Epoxy Prepreg, 581 Quartz Reinforced PCB

2. Nelcote E-722 Epoxy Prepreg, 120 Aramid-Reinforced

3. Nelcote E-718 Epoxy Prepreg, 7781 E-Glass Reinforced

4. Nelcote E-766B PCB Epoxy Prepreg, 120 E-Glass Reinforced

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