Prepreg

Prepreg material is a composite material pre-impregnated with a resin. Atlas Fibre offers prepreg materials for in-house fabrication at our facility in Illinois. We can work with you to help you determine which type of prepreg material is best for your project.

Learn more about prepreg material and get in touch with any questions.

What Is A Prepreg Composite?

A prepreg composite is a type of fabric that is impregnated with a resin, usually an epoxy. The epoxy is often thermosetting and ready to be cured or molded without the addition of an activator. To fully cure a prepreg composite, you need to use pressure and heat.

Several industries use prepreg composites, including the automotive, aerospace, defense, and consumer goods industries. The material is ideal for use in applications that produce lightweight parts.

Prepreg Materials

Prepreg composites are typically made from fabric such as polyester fiberglass or carbon fiber. The fabrics are often woven, and may have a satin, twill, or plain weave.

Depending on the material, it may be necessary to store prepreg composite materials in the freezer. However, there are options available that allow for room-temperature storage as well.

The curing temperature and method for prepreg materials depend on the type of epoxy used. Some epoxies require a higher curing temperature than others. A common curing method involves the use of an autoclave, although other options are also available. We can help you determine which prepreg material is right for you based on your curing methods.

Why Choose Prepreg Materials

Prepreg materials offer several advantages in certain applications:

• Strength: The resin content of prepreg materials is often around 35%, which produces a stronger final product than traditionally laminated materials.
• Repeatability: Prepreg materials have a uniform thickness and are more likely to come out of a mold identical to the material that came before, allowing for better repeatability.
• Reduced waste: While a prepreg material will bleed resin during curing, there is less waste compared to hand lamination.
• Better appearance: Prepreg materials typically have a smooth and shiny appearance with few, if any, air bubbles.
• Short curing time: Heat curing takes less time than hand lamination and doesn’t require 48 hours afterward for a full cure.

How to Choose the Right Prepreg

Prepreg materials differ in their curing requirements, strength, and applications. The first thing to consider when choosing a prepreg material is how you will use it. You’ll need a different prepreg for an aircraft or automotive application than you would for consumer products such as skis or a bicycle.

We have material data sheets available for everything we make to help you determine which material will best meet your needs and what each one’s properties are. We can act as a resource center for your company and answer any questions you have about our prepreg materials. We’ll work with you to help you pick the one that best aligns with your project specifications.

Contact Atlas Fibre for a Quote Today

We have an extensive selection of prepreg material ready to ship to you. Contact us today to learn more and get a quote.