SAE International’s P-17 Polymer Matrix Composites Committee has released two technical documents for epoxy resins: AMS6562: for MTM 45-1 prepregs, and AMS6562/1: an accompanying specification, or “slash sheet” for 7781 glass fabric reinforced prepreg. These new specifications support materials that have statistically derived data available in the Composite Materials Handbook (CMH-17), which is distributed by SAE. Material specifications, such as those published in the CMH-17, are required for procurement of certain composite materials.
Combined with source control via a Qualified Product List (QPL, administered by PRI),and change management undertaken by the applicable Qualified Product Group (QPG), the new AMS documents allow for procurement of composite materials in a manner similar to metals. This will yield substantial time savings in the advanced composite materials procurement process for aviation.
SAE’s P-17 Polymer Matrix Composites Committee is part of the SAE Aerospace Materials Systems Group. It develops and maintains material specifications and other technical reports for composite materials, including: prepregs, fibers, fabrics, resins, adhesives, and core materials. It works in conjunction with the CMH-17, ASTM, National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP), the Performance Review Institute (PRI), the FAA and EASA.
For more information on the work of the committee, or to volunteer your expertise in its efforts to product effective industry standards, contact SAE’s Jeff Adkins, staff representative, at: jeff.adkins@sae.org.
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