Japan’s Toray Industries, Inc., has announced that its TORAYCA prepreg with high strength and intermediate modulus carbon fibre T800S has been approved as a material for the primary structure of the A380 aircraft by Airbus S.A.S.

Toray has started supplying the material to the Airbus plant in Germany. The A380 is the world’s largest, most spacious airliner and is designed to offer passengers the smoothest, quietest flight. In May 2010, Toray signed a long-term basic supply agreement with Airbus Group S.E., to supply carbon fibre prepreg for aircraft applications primarily for Airbus S.A.S. and the approval of the TORAYCA prepreg material is based on this agreement.

The Japanese company has been supplying carbon fibre TORAYCA for Airbus aircraft, and this is the first time for Airbus to use TORAYCA prepreg. In addition, Toray is increasing the supply of its high performance carbon fibre TORAYCA to the Airbus business.

Ever since TORAYCA was selected for the secondary structure of A320 for the first time in 1970s, Toray has been supplying high quality, high performance carbon fibres for a wide range of Airbus aircraft such as the A320, A330, A350 XWB, and A380. (GK)