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Mechanical stability, smooth finish, and fire-retardancy certifications for Formula 1

What more could F1 and Motorsport ask for?

1 July 2020

Toray Advanced Composites’ newest and most advanced motorsport prepreg system, TC346, has set the bar high for composite solutions. It was created from a direct pull from Formula One (F1) teams that were unable to find a solution for their most demanding applications with existing materials. Over the course of 3 years of development, in conjunction with multiple F1 teams, Toray Advanced Composites has surpassed all the demands and is proud to demonstrate that TC346 will be the material of choice for the most advanced F1 cars on this year’s starting grid.

Toray TC346 was developed for Formula 1’s gearbox and suspension applications where high service temperature and high interlaminer and fracture toughness is required, however, this material also opens up opportunities to support further lightweighting for components where superior toughness and performance are needed. TC346 is a high temperature epoxy, with better room temperature dry (RTD) compression strength (CS), interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), in plane shear modulus (IPSM), and improved elevated temperature dry (ETD) tensile strength (TS), CS, & ILSS, compared to legacy materials.

Whilst TC346 was developed specifically for motorsport applications, this unrivaled prepreg solution should be considered for any application demanding a high glass transition temperature (Tg), super-tough epoxy, with excellent compression strength and high fracture toughness.

The global coronavirus pandemic has not spared motorsport. All major racing series have been dealt the proverbial ‘Red Flag’ but are beginning to set dates for when they will race again. Although the first 10 Formula 1 races were delayed or canceled, the season is now targeted to resume July 5th in Austria, but without spectators in attendance due to COVID-19 concerns. Spectators will be allowed to return when it is deemed safe. In the US, NASCAR racing is resumed at Darlington Raceway on May 17th with 7 races completed over a 10-day period (again without spectators). They are still trying to squeeze 36 races into 2020 but the schedule beyond August 2nd remains unclear. The premier sanctioning body of Drag Racing, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), also recently announced that it is planning to resume an abbreviated schedule in August with spectators in attendance. Many other racing series are following suit with condensed schedules as well. It is abundantly clear that race teams are now getting back into high gear!

In Motorsport, where competition is grueling, Toray Advanced Composites has met the challenge with TC346. Please visit our website at www.toraytac.com and contact your local account representative for further details.

Toray TC346 Product Features:

  • Excellent retention of properties at high temperatures
  •  High Compression, ILSS and G1C
  • Tg Onset – 209°C (408°F)
  • Tg Peak Tan – 220°C (428°F)
  • 21 Days Shop Life – 6 months at -18°C
  •  Passes SFI 56.1 flame retardancy at one ply thickness:
    • Tested on: TC346 HM0545 200g 2x2 Twill HM63 42% Resin Content
    •  SFI certification is required for all composite components used in NASCAR
  • Passes UL94 V0 flame retardancy at 2 mm thickness:
    • Tested on: TC346-00 HM0545 200gsm 2x2 Twill HM63 12K 42% Resin Content.
  • Density 1.3 g/cm3
  • Available with a variety of fibers in a number of fabric styles and as unidirectional tapes

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