Overair selects Toray’s materials for Butterfly prototype

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Overair has chosen Toray Composite Materials’ advanced prepreg system for its Butterfly prototype programme.

The prototype aircraft will use Toray’s T1100/3960 prepreg system, a material that is has been designed for high-performance aerospace applications. Toray’s 3960 is a highly-toughened 350°F/177°C cure epoxy resin with a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 400°F/204°C.

The resin also works in tandem with the firm’s T1100 intermediate modulus plus (IM+) carbon fibre, which is the highest tensile strength fibre available today.

Ben Tigner, co-founder and CEO, Overair said: “We’re excited to be working closely with Toray’s advanced materials as we continue the development of our all-electric Butterfly experimental prototype aircraft. Our unique propulsion system requires materials that provide a unique combination of high stiffness and high strength, while also maintaining the optimal weight targets for the vehicle.”

Overair recently completed full-scale testing of Butterfly’s propulsion system. The successful testing programme validated Overair’s design choices and Butterfly’s expected performance capabilities. Butterfly’s propeller will be showcased at the Farnborough International Air Show this month in Farnborough, England.

Jeff Cross, director of Business Development for Aerospace, Toray said: “It is an honour for Toray to partner with Overair on this endeavor and provide the Butterfly a unique performance advantage with our 3960 prepreg system. We’re excited for the future as Overair proceeds with full-scale development and testing. The proven performance of our materials gives me confidence that we can help achieve Overair’s objective of producing the safest, most efficient, and reliable eVTOL aircraft.”