SHD Composites Launches The SFX740 Range — Three New Surface Films Delivering Outstanding Surface Quality
SHD Composites today announces SFX740, a new innovative range of easy-to-apply surface films delivering outstanding surface quality out of autoclave, lightning strike protection, and weight optimised suppression of fibre print-through.
This next generation of surface films have been engineered to reduce processing time and costs without compromising surface quality. All three surface films are designed for out of autoclave processing and have low temperature cure options whilst still delivering outstanding surface quality to potentially save the need to prime or finish paint components.
As specialist surfacing materials, the SFX740 range replicates the mould details perfectly once demoulded. Tailored surface tack makes placement in the mould simple and robust, and the base-chemistry is formulated such that the three new surface films work together with all SHD’s VTC and MTC epoxy prepreg systems. Once moulded, components have outstanding surface quality making them ready to use with no post-processing or only requiring light touch preparation prior to painting.
The three surface films in the new innovative range are; SFX740-LS, SFX740-LW and SFX740-HF.
SFX740-LS incorporates an integrated copper mesh layer to provide lightning strike protection with a lightweight carrier ply for conformability, making the process of applying CuMesh simple to maintain the cosmetic and processing advantages of the range. Developed for aerospace and advanced air mobility applications, SFX740-LS combines surfacing and lightning strike protection within a single integrated material surfacing system.
SFX740-LW is a lightweight variant designed for applications where minimising mass is critical without compromising surface quality or manufacturing efficiency.
SFX740-HF is a high-build solution engineered to further suppress fibre print-through. It is a final finish parasitic material for bench detailing and ultimate surface uniformity, often on challenging composite structures requiring high cosmetic standards for a paint finish.
“The SFX-740 range has been specifically engineered to offer different solutions depending on the customer requirement,” said Jamie Keogh, Senior Vice President of Commercial at SHD Composites. “With three different options, we can support customers across multiple markets. All products are delivered with the short lead times and excellent technical support that SHD is renowned for.”
The latest innovation from SHD comes after they recently launched CEM101, a new cyanate ester prepreg with improved glass transition temperature, specifically engineered for applications requiring minimal dielectric constant and loss tangent in aerospace, space, defence and motorsport.
For more information, technical data, processing guidance, or sampling enquiries, please contact your SHD account manager or your regional SHD representative.
