NCC, under contract to the Air Force, is developing a fiber preform process that provides aerospace parts at a significant cost savings. Instead of attempting to trim dollars from manufacturing processes that are traditionally high cost, Programmable Powder Preform Process for Aerospace (P4A) starts with low-cost processes while improving performance to meet aerospace requirements.
NCC’s efforts are currently focused on demonstrating automated chopped fiber preforming materials for aerospace structures. Two demonstration parts, an air cargo plane tail cone and a fighter access door have been produced using chopped carbon preforms. Test results and cost analysis indicate tremendous promise for the preform process.
You may want to take a moment to view NCC’s presentations on P4A by clicking on one of the titles below
Or read one of the P4A publications co-written by an NCC specialist
- “The Programmable Powdered Preform Process for Aerospace: Affordable Performance Through Composites”, SAMPE International Symposium, May 2000.
- “Effect of Tows and Filament Groups on the Properties of Discontinuous Fiber Composites”, SAMPE International Symposium, June 1999.
- “Mechanical Property Translation in Oriented, Discontinuous Carbon Fiber Composites”, SAMPE International Symposium, May 2000.