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The project, involving Cannon Ergos and materials supplier MCAM, has produced sidewall panels from thermoplastic composites.

May 9, 2022

1 Min Read
sidewall prototype
Image courtesy of Cannon Ergos

Composite-conversion equipment expert Cannon Ergos is working with Boeing on molding trials for the feasibility of using recycled carbon fiber (rCF) for the fabrication of aircraft cabin interior sidewall panels.

The recovery and reuse of carbon-fiber waste during production processes and end-of-life applications, notably in the automotive and aeronautics industries, has proven to be economically viable. This supports implementation of the EU Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) to greatly reduce landfill disposal and is also in line with targets set by the EU Circular Economy Package for sustainable production practices.

“For several years, together with sister companies Cannon Afros and Cannon Tipos, Cannon Ergos has successfully undertaken numerous projects that offer new life to recycled carbon fiber. By combining various technologies and production processes tailored for each application, the partners have been able to effectively process recycled carbon fiber whether impregnated with diverse resins, or already integrated within a thermoplastic matrix. The project with Boeing demonstrates the viability of fabricating interior sidewall panels with high-performance thermoplastics reinforced with recycled carbon fiber.”

The project’s latest stage involves Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (MCAM), a global supplier of high-performance reinforced polymers for which Cannon Ergos has designed, manufactured, and installed a custom, fully equipped thermo-compression unit. This equipment was utilized to produce prototype sidewall panels with MCAM’s new Kyrontex material. Typical resin matrices utilized for Kyrontex thermoplastic composite aeronautical applications include polyamide (PA), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyaryletherketone (PAEK).

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