UMS40 FAB-EP-55
Matrix
FAB-EP-55 = woven fabric epoxy laminate, ~55 vol% UMS40
Use where quasi-balanced, drapeable high-modulus skins are needed (panels, shells) at the cost of ~40 % lower 0° stiffness than UD.
Values for the FAB-EP-55 condition
Other UMS40 grades and fills
UMS40 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at UMS40.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAB-EP-55This page Woven fabric epoxy laminate, ~55 vol% UMS40 | Use where quasi-balanced, drapeable high-modulus skins are needed (panels, shells) at the cost of ~40 % lower 0° stiffness than UD. | — | 850 | — | — |
UD epoxy laminate, 60 vol% UMS40 | Pick for stiffness- and dimensional-stability-critical UD laminates (booms, optical benches, reflectors); compression and impact are the design limits. | — | 2,400 | 1 | 105 HRM |
epoxy-compatible sizing, 24 000 filament tow (≈800 tex) | Heavier, lower-cost tow for thick wound or pultruded stiffness-driven sections and coarse UD tapes. | — | 4,500 | 1.2 | — |
F22-12KDefault epoxy-compatible sizing, 12 000 filament tow (≈400 tex) | Standard supply form for prepreg, filament winding and pultrusion with epoxy/BMI matrices. | — | 4,560 | 1.2 | — |
What is UMS40 FAB-EP-55?
UMS40 FAB-EP-55 is UMS40 in the FAB-EP-55 condition — use where quasi-balanced, drapeable high-modulus skins are needed (panels, shells) at the cost of ~40 % lower 0° stiffness than UD. UMS40 FAB-EP-55 has a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi), stronger than 72% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.2% and the elastic modulus is 120 GPa (17.4 Msi). UMS40 FAB-EP-55 has a density of 1.58 g/cm³ (0.0571 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of composite grades. F22-12K is the default condition FabDigit quotes; FAB-EP-55 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 85% of composite grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of composite grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 95/100, better than 78% of composite grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 50 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of composite grades
- Limited ductility — 1.2%, worse than 77% of composite grades
UMS40 FAB-EP-55 properties
Typical room-temperature values for UMS40 FAB-EP-55; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are UMS40 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
UMS40 FAB-EP-55 has a density of 1.58 g/cm³ (0.0571 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of composite grades.
Mechanical8
UMS40 FAB-EP-55 has a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi), stronger than 72% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.2% and the elastic modulus is 120 GPa (17.4 Msi).
Thermal5
UMS40 FAB-EP-55 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 0 µm/m·K (0 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
UMS40 FAB-EP-55 has an electrical resistivity of 1×10⁻⁵ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 85% of composite grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of UMS40 FAB-EP-55 takes about 700 MJ of energy and emits 50 kg of CO₂ — more than 90% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
UMS40 FAB-EP-55's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 65% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with UMS40 FAB-EP-55
Is UMS40 easy to machine?
Cured laminates cut with PCD/diamond-coated or diamond-grit tooling at high speed and low feed; use up-cut/down-cut compression routers and backing to avoid delamination, and capture the conductive dust.
Can UMS40 be welded?
Not weldable — joints are made by co-curing, structural film/paste adhesive bonding or bolted metallic fittings (isolate from Al/steel with glass ply to avoid galvanic corrosion).
Can UMS40 be formed, bent or molded?
Processed as UD/woven prepreg (autoclave 120–180 °C cure), filament winding, AFP or RTM; the low strain-to-failure and high modulus mean generous fibre radii, careful tow tension and low-friction tooling paths.
What surface finishes work on UMS40?
Peel-ply or resin-rich surface plies then sand/fill/prime; UV-resistant topcoat or paint is required since the epoxy matrix chalks, and edges should be sealed against moisture ingress.
UMS40 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 |
|---|---|---|
| nitrogen (N)residual from PAN precursor | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| epoxy-compatible sizing (F22)surface size, wt% of fiber | 0.7 – 1.5 | 1 |
| carbon (C)graphitized PAN-based fiber | ≥ 98 (balance) | — |
UMS40 FAB-EP-55 — frequently asked
What is UMS40 FAB-EP-55 used for?
UMS40 FAB-EP-55 is typically used for aircraft stiffness-critical parts, satellite structures and high-performance sports equipment. In short: 395 GPa PAN fiber; stiffness-critical aerospace laminates; low strain to failure.
What is the tensile strength of UMS40 FAB-EP-55?
UMS40 FAB-EP-55 has a typical tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 72% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is UMS40 FAB-EP-55 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 65% of composite grades). Cured laminates cut with PCD/diamond-coated or diamond-grit tooling at high speed and low feed; use up-cut/down-cut compression routers and backing to avoid delamination, and capture the conductive dust.
Can UMS40 FAB-EP-55 be welded?
Not weldable — joints are made by co-curing, structural film/paste adhesive bonding or bolted metallic fittings (isolate from Al/steel with glass ply to avoid galvanic corrosion).
What surface finishes work on UMS40 FAB-EP-55?
Peel-ply or resin-rich surface plies then sand/fill/prime; UV-resistant topcoat or paint is required since the epoxy matrix chalks, and edges should be sealed against moisture ingress.
Can UMS40 FAB-EP-55 be formed, bent or molded?
Processed as UD/woven prepreg (autoclave 120–180 °C cure), filament winding, AFP or RTM; the low strain-to-failure and high modulus mean generous fibre radii, careful tow tension and low-friction tooling paths.
What is the maximum service temperature of UMS40 FAB-EP-55?
UMS40 FAB-EP-55 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Tenax filament yarn product data sheet (UMS40 F22) — Teijin Carbon Europe GmbH (2023)
- ISO 11566 — Carbon fibre: determination of tensile properties of single-filament specimens — ISO (1996)
- ISO 10618 — Carbon fibre: determination of tensile properties of resin-impregnated yarn — ISO (2004)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 21: Composites — ASM International (2001)
- MMPDS / CMH-17 typical carbon/epoxy lamina data — CMH-17 / Battelle (2019)
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.