In cutting-edge sectors such as aeronautics, space, sailing or industry, where every performance gain counts, materials must combine lightness, efficiency and ease of processing.
At the heart of this revolution, one technology stands out: Towpreg, a unidirectional prepreg designed for automated manufacturing processes, such as filament winding or fiber placement (AFP).
To meet the growing demands of engineers, designers and industry, Toray Carbon Fibers Europe has developed a range of advanced towpregs, designed to combine very high width control, regular impregnation rate and adaptability to the most demanding industrial applications.
Ready-to-use Towpreg Reel
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Understanding Towpreg and its Role in Advanced Composites
What is a Towpreg?
Towpreg, a contraction of tow (strand of fibers) and prepreg, refers to a wick of continuous fibers impregnated with resin, ready to be used in automated manufacturing processes for composite parts. The fibers are generally made of carbon and the resin – thermoplastic or thermosetting – is applied according to a controlled process to guarantee a homogeneous distribution and a constant resin content.
Unlike prepreg that has to be cut to generate slit tapes, Towpreg is produced directly at the right width. It thus offers several decisive advantages:
- A 100% continuous fiber, with no cut edges, exploiting in full its mechanical properties
- The absence of splicing, saving material in the design,
- Long reels, reducing production stoppages.
An ideal answer to the challenges of the high-performance composite industry.
Conventional Towpreg vs Advanced Towpreg: What are the Differences?
Toray Carbon Fibers Europe‘s Advanced Towpreg exceeds the limits of conventional prepreg. Where conventional towpregs show irregular placement, adhesion problems or width variations, Toray Carbon Fibers Europe provides an adapted and proven solution.
What changes with Advanced Towpreg:
- High dimensional stability, with a width defined before production, without cutting and perfectly adapted to AFP lines,
- Stability of the impregnation rate, allowing precise design and highly replicable production of composite parts
- A wide range of resins, selected according to applications and customer needs, including low-tackiness formulas that avoid the use of separator films,
- Complete control of the process, from fiber manufacturing to impregnation,
A successful solution, designed for demanding industrial environments and complex specifications.
Filament Winding, Towpreg Deposit on a Type IV Tank
Proven Performance for the most Demanding Industries
Advanced Towpreg is already used in France and Europe by manufacturers active in the aeronautics, space and competitive sailing markets, where the slightest variation in weight or stiffness can impact race performance, and where the reliability of the materials is tested in the most demanding of conditions.
AFP draping of a foil in an “off-plane” process at Avel robotics with a Towpreg using TORAYCA fibers from Toray Carbon Fiber Europe
In the domaine of competitive sailing, the MACIF’s IMOCA entry for the Vendée Globe with its pioneering hydrofoils is an excellent example. Designed by AVEL Robotics in Lorient (France), the structure of the foils incorporates Toray Carbon Fibers Europe’s Advanced Towpreg: these underwater wings allow the boat to ‘fly’ above the water to gain speed.
In this extreme environment, where every gramme counts and fatigue resistance is decisive, Advanced Towpreg is the obvious choice. Today, all the IMOCA foils produced by Avel Robotics are made with Advanced Towpreg. The result: more efficient parts, optimized fiber placement, time savings in production and proven reliability in real sailing conditions.
This project perfectly illustrates the industrial maturity of our product and its ability to meet complex and ambitious specifications, on water, on land, or in space.
Charlie Dalin’s victory aboard his MACIF foiling Imoca, made with Toray Carbon Fibers Europe’s Advanced Towpreg, on 14 January 2025 in Les Sables d’Olonne, after his round the world race (Vendée Globe)
Image credits: MACIF Jean-Louis Carli, Vincent Curutchet
Why Choose Toray Carbon Fibers Europe for your Composite Projects?
Complete Control of the Value Chain
What distinguishes Toray Carbon Fibers Europe, beyond product performance, is the complete control of the industrial process:
- Torayca® carbon fibers produced and tested in-house,
- High-performance resins formulated by Toray Carbon Fibers Europe’s R&D teams,
- 100% French production, for traceability, supply security and responsiveness to customer needs,
- Dedicated technical team to provide a high-level of customer service and co-develop tailored solutions.
We guarantee quality, responsiveness and traceability for each order.
Expertise at Your Service
Each project is unique. Toray Carbon Fibers Europe supports its customers with a collaborative approach:
- Technical diagnosis and personalized support,
- Material recommendation according to your manufacturing process,
- Support for industrialization on AFP line or filament winding,
- Complete documentation and guaranteed traceability.
To learn more or discuss your project, contact Toray Carbon Fibers Europe’s sales teams or request our technical datasheets.
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