Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg vs. Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg
Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg (Hexcel Corporation) and Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg (Syensqo / Solvay Composite Materials) achieve a 98.4% ASTM engineering compatibility score in Carbon Fiber Fabrics (3K / 6K / 12K), Spread-Tow & Prepregs. Tensile strength delta is +30 MPa (+1.1%) and thermal HDT delta is matched, making them qualified for direct drop-in substitution under standard cure schedules.
Side-by-Side ASTM Mechanical, Thermal, Rheological & Pricing Delta
| ASTM Parameter | A: Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg (Hexcel Corporation) | B: Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg (Syensqo / Solvay Composite Materials) | Engineering Delta (A vs. B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM Manufacturer & SKU | Hexcel Corporation • HXL-8552-IM7 | Syensqo / Solvay Composite Materials • SLV-CYC977-2 | Cross-Brand OEM Equivalent |
| ASTM D638 Tensile Strength (MPa / PSI) | 2720 MPa (394,503 psi) | 2690 MPa (390,152 psi) | +30 MPa (+1.1 %) |
| ASTM D648 Heat Deflection Temp (HDT °C / °F) | N/A | N/A | Ambient / N/A |
| ASTM D790 Flexural Strength (MPa) | 1790 MPa | 1760 MPa | +30 MPa (+1.7 %) |
| ASTM D2583 Barcol Hardness | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| ASTM D2196 Brookfield Viscosity @ 25°C | Solid Reinforcement / Core | Solid Reinforcement / Core | Solid State |
| Gel Time @ 25°C (Minutes) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| ASTM D792 Specific Density (kg/m³) | 1790 kg/m³ | 1790 kg/m³ | 0 kg/m³ |
| US DOT 49 CFR & TDG Hazmat Class | Non-Regulated Industrial Fiber (N/A) | Non-Regulated Industrial Fiber (N/A) | Identical (N/A) |
| Unit Price ($/kg USD) & Pack Price | $138/kg • $6,210 (100 yd Roll (45 kg)) | $136/kg • $6,120 (100 yd Roll (45 kg)) | +2 $/kg (+1.5 %) |
| US Stocking Warehouses | Tacoma, WA • Stamford, CT • Anderson, SC | Tacoma, WA • Stamford, CT • Anderson, SC | 1–3 Days LTL Dispatch |
Companion process stack: Low-Viscosity Infusion Epoxy (Gurit Prime 37 / Hexion RIMR 135 / Araldite LY 1564) + Stoichiometric Amine Hardener. Follow SIZE COMPATIBILITY: Use Epoxy-compatible silane sizing with Structural Epoxy Resins (approx. 55:45 fiber-to-resin weight ratio in vacuum infusion). ITAR/EAR export screening applies.
Direct Drop-In Qualified: Thermal deflection (ASTM D648 HDT) differs by only 0 °C (N/A °C vs. N/A °C). Existing mold cure and demold cycles can be maintained without thermal schedule modification.
Identical Hazmat Logistics Profile: Both SKUs ship under US DOT 49 CFR & Transport Canada TDG as Non-Regulated Industrial Fiber (UN Number: N/A). Note 49 CFR § 177.848 segregation if ordering with Class 5.2 Organic Peroxides (UN3105).
Engineering FAQ: Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg vs. Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg
1. Is Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg a direct drop-in equivalent for Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg?▼
Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg (Hexcel Corporation) and Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg (Syensqo / Solvay Composite Materials) achieve a 98.4% ASTM engineering compatibility score in Carbon Fiber Fabrics (3K / 6K / 12K), Spread-Tow & Prepregs. Tensile strength delta is +30 MPa (+1.1%) and thermal HDT delta is matched, making them qualified for direct drop-in substitution under standard cure schedules.
2. What is the ASTM D638 Tensile Strength and ASTM D648 HDT difference between Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg and Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg?▼
Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg (Hexcel Corporation) delivers ASTM D638 Tensile Strength of 2720 MPa (394,503 psi) and ASTM D648 HDT of N/A °C, whereas Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg (Syensqo / Solvay Composite Materials) delivers 2690 MPa (390,152 psi) and HDT of N/A °C. The net delta is +30 MPa (+1.1 %) tensile and N/A HDT.
3. Do Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg and Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg use the same catalyst or hardener cure system?▼
Companion process stack: Low-Viscosity Infusion Epoxy (Gurit Prime 37 / Hexion RIMR 135 / Araldite LY 1564) + Stoichiometric Amine Hardener. Follow SIZE COMPATIBILITY: Use Epoxy-compatible silane sizing with Structural Epoxy Resins (approx. 55:45 fiber-to-resin weight ratio in vacuum infusion). ITAR/EAR export screening applies. Direct Drop-In Qualified: Thermal deflection (ASTM D648 HDT) differs by only 0 °C (N/A °C vs. N/A °C). Existing mold cure and demold cycles can be maintained without thermal schedule modification.
4. How do US DOT 49 CFR Hazmat shipping rules and B2B drum/pack prices compare between Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg and Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg?▼
Identical Hazmat Logistics Profile: Both SKUs ship under US DOT 49 CFR & Transport Canada TDG as Non-Regulated Industrial Fiber (UN Number: N/A). Note 49 CFR § 177.848 segregation if ordering with Class 5.2 Organic Peroxides (UN3105). In US B2B distribution, Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg is priced at $6,210 per 100 yd Roll (45 kg) ($138/kg) vs. $6,120 per 100 yd Roll (45 kg) ($136/kg) for Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg (delta: +2 USD/kg).
Related Drop-In Comparisons in Carbon Fiber Fabrics (3K / 6K / 12K), Spread-Tow & Prepregs
Hexcel HexPly 8552 / IM7 Toughened Autoclave Epoxy Prepreg (Hexcel Corporation) and Solvay Cycom 977-2 Toughened Aerospace Carbon Epoxy Prepreg (Syensqo / Solvay Composite Materials) are trademarks of their respective owners. CompositeMatrix Technologies Inc. is an independent North American B2B composite material intelligence registry; comparative ASTM D638, D648, D790, D2583, and D2196 figures are presented under the US legal doctrine of Nominative Fair Use (Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125) and Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co. (499 U.S. 340) for scientific and industrial cross-reference. Cure schedules, exotherm behavior, and laminate qualification must be verified by a licensed Naval Architect or Professional Engineer (PE) against current manufacturer batch Technical Data Sheets (TDS) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).