Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR
Grade
HYBOR = boron/carbon hybrid epoxy tape
Use to cut cost and weight versus pure boron while keeping much of the compressive strength; note the carbon makes it electrically conductive again.
Values for the HYBOR condition
Other Boron Fiber Composite grades and fills
Boron Fiber Composite is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at Boron Fiber Composite.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
cross-plied boron/epoxy laminate | Choose when biaxial load or dimensional stability in two directions matters more than peak 0° stiffness. | 700 | 780 | 0.7 | 90 Shore D |
boron fiber reinforced aluminium (metal matrix) | Diffusion-bonded MMC for high-temperature, high-conductivity structure (e.g. Shuttle Orbiter truss tubes); heavier, expensive, and requires hot-press consolidation. | 900 | 1,400 | 0.8 | — |
boron fiber in polyimide / bismaleimide matrix | For sustained service above 200 °C where an epoxy matrix would soften; harder to process and lower interlaminar toughness. | — | 1,400 | 0.7 | 92 Shore D |
HYBORThis page Boron/carbon hybrid epoxy tape | Use to cut cost and weight versus pure boron while keeping much of the compressive strength; note the carbon makes it electrically conductive again. | — | 1,450 | 0.85 | 89 Shore D |
B-EP-UDDefault unidirectional boron/epoxy prepreg laminate (121 °C cure) | Standard bonded-repair and stiffener material: highest compressive strength per weight, electrically insulating so it can be bonded straight onto aluminium. | — | 1,500 | 0.75 | 90 Shore D |
177 °C-cure high-temperature boron/epoxy | Pick when the part or repair must run hot (supersonic skins, engine-area doublers) and a 177 °C autoclave cure is available. | — | 1,550 | 0.75 | 91 Shore D |
Boron filament | The raw reinforcement itself, bought as a spool for prepregging, wire-wound rocket cases or MMC preforms. | — | 3,600 | 0.9 | — |
What is Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR?
Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR is Boron Fiber Composite in the HYBOR grade — use to cut cost and weight versus pure boron while keeping much of the compressive strength; note the carbon makes it electrically conductive again. Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR has a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi), stronger than 75% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.85% and the elastic modulus is 175 GPa (25.4 Msi). Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR has a density of 1.85 g/cm³ (0.0668 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 160°C (320 °F). B-EP-UD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HYBOR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 35 MPa·√m (31.9 ksi·√in), better than 91% of composite grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.1%, better than 85% of composite grades
- Stiff — 175 GPa (25.4 Msi), better than 75% of composite grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 95 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 99% of composite grades
- Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 90% of composite grades
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 89% of composite grades
- Limited ductility — 0.85%, worse than 81% of composite grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 78% of composite grades
Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR properties
Typical room-temperature values for Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Boron Fiber Composite reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical4
Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR has a density of 1.85 g/cm³ (0.0668 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 160°C (320 °F).
Mechanical14
Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR has a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi), stronger than 75% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.85% and the elastic modulus is 175 GPa (25.4 Msi).
Thermal7
Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 4 W/m·K (2.31 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 63% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 4.5 µm/m·K (2.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR has an electrical resistivity of 0.01 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (84/100), better than 59% of composite grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR takes about 1,500 MJ of energy and emits 95 kg of CO₂ — more than 100% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 89% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR
Is Boron Fiber Composite easy to machine?
Extremely abrasive 100–140 µm filaments destroy carbide — use abrasive waterjet, diamond-plated routers/saws and diamond core drills with dust extraction.
Can Boron Fiber Composite be welded?
Not weldable; joints are adhesively bonded (film adhesive) or mechanically fastened with oversized, well-supported holes.
Can Boron Fiber Composite be formed, bent or molded?
Hand-laid unidirectional prepreg tape only (fibres cannot be woven or tightly draped); vacuum-bag/autoclave cure at 121 or 177 °C, or heat-blanket cure for on-aircraft repair patches.
What surface finishes work on Boron Fiber Composite?
Seal edges and paint/prime for UV and moisture protection; the laminate is dielectric, so eddy-current inspection of the metal beneath a bonded patch remains possible.
Boron Fiber Composite chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| boron fiber (CVD B on W core)≈50 vol% in UD prepreg; W core ≈ 1–3 wt% of the fibre | 55 – 70 | 65 |
| epoxy matrix121 °C or 177 °C cure aerospace epoxy | ≥ 30 (balance) | — |
Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR — frequently asked
What is Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR used for?
Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR is typically used for aircraft structural repair patches, military aerospace skins and sporting goods (golf shafts). In short: very high compressive strength; dielectric repair patches; extremely abrasive filaments.
What is the tensile strength of Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR?
Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR has a typical tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) — stronger than 75% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 89% of composite grades). Extremely abrasive 100–140 µm filaments destroy carbide — use abrasive waterjet, diamond-plated routers/saws and diamond core drills with dust extraction.
Can Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR be welded?
Not weldable; joints are adhesively bonded (film adhesive) or mechanically fastened with oversized, well-supported holes.
What surface finishes work on Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR?
Seal edges and paint/prime for UV and moisture protection; the laminate is dielectric, so eddy-current inspection of the metal beneath a bonded patch remains possible.
Can Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR be formed, bent or molded?
Hand-laid unidirectional prepreg tape only (fibres cannot be woven or tightly draped); vacuum-bag/autoclave cure at 121 or 177 °C, or heat-blanket cure for on-aircraft repair patches.
What is the maximum service temperature of Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR?
Boron Fiber Composite HYBOR is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 190°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Boron Fiber Composite B-EP-UD and Boron Fiber Composite B-AL?
B-EP-UD is the default condition — standard bonded-repair and stiffener material: highest compressive strength per weight, electrically insulating so it can be bonded straight onto aluminium. B-AL: diffusion-bonded MMC for high-temperature, high-conductivity structure (e.g. Shuttle Orbiter truss tubes); heavier, expensive, and requires hot-press consolidation.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol. 21: Composites — ASM International (2001)
- CMH-17 (MIL-HDBK-17) Composite Materials Handbook, Vol. 1–3 — SAE International / CMH-17 (2012)
- Boron filament and boron/epoxy prepreg product data — Specialty Materials, Inc. (formerly Textron Specialty Materials) (2020)
- Composite Repair of Metallic Aircraft Structure (Baker & Jones) — AGARD/NATO (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.