Surface Engineering

The AIRPOXY project develops a new family of reprocessable, repairable and recyclable thermostable composites

The AIRPOXY project, coordinated by CIDETEC Surface Engineering, is making steady progress in its goal of reducing the cost of producing and maintaining composite parts in the aeronautical sector, thanks to the introduction of a new family of thermostable composites. This new material not only maintains all the benefits of conventional thermostables, but can also be easily reprocessed, repaired and recycled, leading to it being called 3R technology. This is made possible thanks to the introduction of dynamically interchangeable bonds in the epoxy resin, producing a new material known scientifically as vitrimer.

Two and a half years on from the start of the project, CIDETEC Surface Engineering continues to work on three main activities. Firstly, on formulating and characterising aeronautical-grade 3R resins, which are subsequently used to obtain 3R composites through the RTM process. Secondly, on obtaining enduring prepregs, which are then used to produce 3R composites through thermoforming. Finally, 3R adhesives are being developed to produce components manufactured entirely under the 3R concept.

Based on CIDETEC’s results, other project partners, including IVW, Eurecat, the University of Ioannina, Coexpair and Altair, are now developing thermoforming, repair and welding technologies that will cut the cost of producing and maintaining all parts that include this technology. The project is now busy producing two demonstrators through its industrial partners Idec, Sonaca and Eire, in order to validate the materials and processes developed.

The AIRPOXY project is part of the H2020 programme, funded by the European Union. This project started in September 2018 and is expected to last 42 months.