The AIRPOXY project, coordinated by CIDETEC, will cut production and maintenance costs for carbon composite parts in aeronautics

The AIRPOXY project emerged in 2018 with a view to addressing a series of challenges around remaining at the forefront of the European aeronautics industry, envisaging aspects such as the use of sustainable materials, zero waste, multifunctionality, and efficient production.

Completed on 31st August this year, AIRPOXY has advanced from TRL3 (proof of concept) to TRL 5 (validation in industrial environment) in developing a new family of 3R thermostable composites (high-performance fibre-reinforced thermostable resins; Reprocessable, Repairable and Recyclable) based on dynamic bonds. The main goals were to create a new family of 3R resins for aeronautics, reduce current manufacturing costs/times, and increase the robustness of adhesive bonds. This means new composite materials will now help towards the sustainable transformation of the European aeronautics industry.

CIDETEC patented its 3R technology in 2014, and with this project has sought to adapt the properties of dynamic resins in order to meet the demanding requirements of the aeronautical sector.

The consortium, led by CIDETEC Surface Engineering, is formed by Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe, Coexpair, EURECAT, ÉireComposites, IDEC, Sonaca, University of Ioannina, Altair, Arttic and the Spanish Association for Standardisation (UNE), totalling eleven partners from six European countries.