News & events
News
NIAR ATLAS Slit and Automated Fiber Placed Axiom Ox-Ox CMC
NIAR Automated Technologies Laboratory for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS) partnered with Axiom Materials for investigating the automated fiber placement (AFP) of AX-7810-610, a solvent-based Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) prepreg that can be used for ...
Jun 24, 2022
Axiom’s Composite Materials Help Track & Field Athletes Win the Gold, Bronze & Silver Olympic Medals in Tokyo
Axiom recently identified that UCS Spirit’s vaulting poles, which leverage the highest quality of our composite materials, helped track and field athletes at the Tokyo Olympics ...

Sep 17, 2021
Axiom Materials Prepregs tackle Garmin Unbound Gravel 2021 presented by Craft in the Flint Hills of Kansas
Several riders with bicycle components fabricated with Axiom Materials epoxy and carbon prepregs set out to conquer the 200-mile hilly, ...

Aug 04, 2021
Axiom Materials Introduces New Narrow Tow Prepregs Targeted at Electric, CNG and Hydrogen Powered Vehicles
Kordsa’s US subsidiary, Axiom Materials, is pleased to contribute to sustainable mobility with the introduction of its tow prepregs. Compared to traditional two-dimensional composite counterparts, these carbon fiber composite tow prepregs are ...
About Axiom Materials Inc.
Axiom Materials, Inc. has manufactured materials for the world’s most complex applications for over a decade. As a global leader in composites — Axiom creates solutions such as: providing heat protection for rockets, making aircraft lighter weight, and industrial equipment more durable. Axiom’s advanced technology composite materials have become the industry standard in the composite market through R&D studies, new chemistry, and customer-driven applications.About Kordsa
Kordsa is the global player of tire, construction reinforcement, and composites technologies market. As the worldwide leader of the tire reinforcement technologies market, it carries out production through a vast area from USA to Asia Pacific and supplies its reinforcement technologies to the whole world. With its business processes all based on R&D and innovation, Kordsa has 892 patent applications worldwide. Please visit our site for Corporate Identity Elements. Jul 08, 2021
Axiom Materials, one of Kordsa’s US-based subsidiaries, introduces CerFaceTM AX-8810
Axiom Materials, one of Kordsa’s US-based subsidiaries, has announced the launch of its latest novel product line of Oxide-Oxide CMC surfacing films under the trade name of CerFace. The first product of the line is CerFace™ AX-8810, a ...
Axiom Materials, one of Kordsa’s US-based subsidiaries, has announced the launch of its latest novel product line of Oxide-Oxide CMC surfacing films under the trade name of CerFace. The first product of the line is CerFace™ AX-8810, a surfacing film designed to improve the outer finish of ultra-high temperature CMC components to reduce manufacturing costs and improve part lifecycle.
Axiom Materials Inc., one of Kordsa’s, a global player in the tire, construction reinforcement, and composites technologies market, US-based subsidiaries, announced the launch of its latest Oxide-Oxide Ceramic Matrix Composite product line: CerFace™ surfacing films. Axiom, the only worldwide qualified manufacturer of Oxide-Oxide ceramic matrix prepregs on an industrial scale, has also introduced its first CerFace™ product, AX-8810, which is uniquely engineered to co-cure with Axiom’s Ox-Ox prepregs to reduce surface porosity and to improve surface finish. The product protects exposed fibers and minimizes surface roughness of CMC components for operating temperatures of up to 1093⁰C. Application of the film in a single-step process eliminates the need for traditional coatings and secondary processes for significant cost reduction. Axiom Materials had filed for an international patent for the CerFace™ surfacing films in 2019. The CerFace™ AX-8810 film is non-toxic and environmentally benign. The Oxide matrix is applied to an Oxide carrier using advanced solution coating techniques to maximize product performance. CerFace™ AX- 8810 is currently being offered in rolls of 61 cm width, and 23 m length. Wider widths will be available in the future. Raj Dhawan, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Axiom, is the inventor and patent holder of the product. Regarding the product, Mr. Dhawan commented, “CerFace™ AX8810 is a flagship product for Axiom’s CMC product line and its new High-Temperature Composite Center in Santa Ana, California. High surface porosity and roughness of Ox-Ox CMC, that is typical of Ox-Ox components, can be detrimental in applications where airflow, drag, and friction are a factor in overall efficiency of the component. Our CerFace™ AX-8810 can be co-cured and sintered with the Ox-Ox prepregs to produce CMC components of superior surface quality without the costly steps of secondary coatings and processing. CMC components with the surfacing film result in superior performance and life cycle. I’m proud to say that the product has received wide and enthusiastic acceptance by our aerospace and industrial customers based on their evaluation and manufacturing trials.” CerFace™ is used in high-temperature components for industrial and aerospace markets. Typical industrial applications may include combustors, shrouds, gas filters for power generation and furnace hardware, and typical aerospace applications may include lightweight aero-engine components such as the mixer, center body and cone sections; hot sections of the aircraft structures near the engine, and radomes. Application of CerFace™ also enhances the precision of machining and drilling of the CMC component. The Company plans to introduce additional CerFace™ films for modifying the surface properties of Ox-Ox CMC components in the future. About Kordsa Kordsa is the global player of tire, construction reinforcement, and composites technologies market. As the worldwide leader of the tire reinforcement technologies market, it carries out production through a vast area from the USA to the Asia Pacific and supplies its reinforcement technologies to the whole world. With its business processes all based on R&D and innovation, Kordsa has 868 patent applications worldwide. Please visit Kordsa for the Corporate Identity Elements About Axiom Materials Inc. Axiom Materials, Inc. has manufactured materials for the world's most complex applications for over a decade. As a global leader in advanced composite materials, Axiom creates solutions such as providing heat protection for rockets, making aircraft lighter, and industrial equipment more durable. Axiom’s advanced technology composite materials have become the industry standard in the composite market through R&D studies, new chemistry, and customer-driven applications. Axiom Materials Inc. was acquired by reinforcement leader Kordsa in 2019. Please visit Axiom’s website to find out more. Feb 01, 2021
Axiom Materials Receives Carbon Neutrality Certification
January 20, 2021 - Axiom Materials Inc., a global leader in composites materials is pleased to announce it has received the Carbon Neutrality Certification for calendar year 2019, demonstrating its commitment to corporate social responsibilities and ...
Jan 20, 2021
White Paper: Oxide-Oxide Ceramic Matrix Composites – Enabling Widespread Industry Adoption
JOHN LINCOLN, BARRETT JACKSON, AMY BARNES, AARON BEABER, LARRY VISSER
Axiom Materials, Inc., Santa Ana, CA 92705; johnny@axiommaterials.com
Composites Horizons, Covina, CA 92697-7075
3M Company, Advanced Materials Division, St. Paul, MN ...
JOHN LINCOLN, BARRETT JACKSON, AMY BARNES, AARON BEABER, LARRY VISSER
Axiom Materials, Inc., Santa Ana, CA 92705; johnny@axiommaterials.com Composites Horizons, Covina, CA 92697-7075 3M Company, Advanced Materials Division, St. Paul, MN 55144
ABSTRACT
Oxide-oxide ceramic matrix composites are gaining increasing attention as a mainstream material option for high temperature components in the aerospace and advanced energy sectors. As the material moves from bench to production, cost reductions are required to ensure that the solutions are market-competitive with titanium and other high temperature alloys. In parallel, a more comprehensive portfolio of fabric geometries and data are desirable to enable flexibility in both engineering and design. 3M, maker of Nextel™ ceramic fibers, joins CMC prepreg developer and manufacturer, Axiom Materials, Inc., and CMC parts designer and fabricator, Composites Horizons, in developing data for the present work. The team jointly compares the properties of Oxide-Oxide CMCs fabricated from conventional Nextel fabric architectures with those of new, lower cost fabric designs.INTRODUCTION
Oxide-oxide ceramic matrix composites (OxOx CMCs) now have significant application momentum in oxidation-sensitive component applications. Yet both the transition to OxOx CMC, as well as the engineering of new OxOx CMC hardware, has been gradual as a result of its high cost relative to conventional materials or as an element of any new component design. The global market for OxOx CMC components is positioned for near-term growth and on the cusp of mainstream adoption provided that reasonable cost profiles can be achieved. Particularly in the case of the aerospace sector, cost reduction initiatives have become especially high-priority as the OxOx CMC cost / value proposition crosses that of machined titanium components for turbine engine and other high temperature hardware. The present work seeks to provide engineering solutions for cost-conscious OxOx CMC design through (a) the development of lower cost fiber and fabric architectures, and (b) characterization of their physical and mechanical properties. Indeed, there is precedent in using higher denier fibers and fabrics to achieve reduced costs. Similar trends have been observed for carbon fiber composites, which has progressed from 1k and 3k fibers initially, to upward beyond 50k fibers to reduce the cost of finished components.1 Like carbon components, costs associated with the manufacturing process for OxOx CMC components are weighted heavily toward the cost of the fiber and/or fabric. Insofar as these costs can be reduced, component level costs can likewise be reduced. To date, most OxOx CMC technical property data and research has been based on the use of NextelTM 610 and 720 fibers,2-7 and most notably styles DF-11 and EF-11 (1500 denier). The 1500 denier yarns are the finest produced commercially and are the most expensive fibers from a manufacturing standpoint due to small fiber bundle size and high demand placed on fiber manufacturing lines. 3M has demonstrated that higher denier yarns may be made by increasing the number of filaments in the tow bundle and keeping the individual filament diameters similar, 8 which results in a significant cost advantage in fiber production. As the cost savings available from higher deniers of the Nextel fibers are of primary interest, relative costs of various fiber deniers are presented in Figure 2. The fiber types used in the present study for both grades Nextel 610 and 720 are 1500, 3000, 4500 and 10,000 denier. [caption id="attachment_1969" align="aligncenter" width="841"]




EXPERIMENTAL
Fabrics of Nextel 610 and Nextel 720 described in Table 2 were woven and heat cleaned. Fabrics were coated to a known matrix content with proprietary ceramic slurries formulated and blended at Axiom Materials, Inc. and Composites Horizons using laboratory-based coating techniques. For Nextel 610 fabrics, an aluminum-silicate slurry was used. For Nextel 720 fabrics, an alumina slurry was used. Matrix absorption and fabric handling characteristics were observed and recorded. Prepregged fabrics were laid up at Composites Horizons into multi-ply 0°/90° laminates with a target thickness of 0.100-0.130 inches (2.5-3.3 mm). EF-20 was laid up into a 0° laminate because of its unidirectional weave pattern. Automated coating behavior for DF-11, DF-19, EF-11, EF-19, and EF-20 were independently explored using a single pass solution prepreg treater at Axiom Materials, Inc. Laboratory-coated laminates were processed via autoclave cure and sintered at Composites Horizons. Physical properties were evaluated including fiber volume, matrix volume, porosity, density, and per-ply thickness. Laminates were cut into specimens for testing of flexural properties per ASTM C1341, interlaminar shear properties per ASTM D2344 and tension properties per ASTM C1275. In order to evaluate the thermal effects, tension properties of Nextel 610 composites were tested after aging at 900°C, 1050°C, and 1150°C (each at 10hr, 100hr, and 500hr exposures), and tension properties of Nextel 720 composites were tested after aging at 1100°C, 1200°C, and 1275°C (each at 10hr, 100hr, and 200hr). Mechanical tests were conducted at 3M, Axiom Materials Inc., and Exova laboratories. Round robin testing was also conducted to assess laboratory biases for interlaminar shear and tension.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Upon initial weaving, sized fabrics of heavier deniers appeared to have more fiber gapping than weave patterns of 1500 denier. However, it was observed that the heat cleaning (desizing) operation had a significant impact on relaxing the fabric tows and spreading them out into a more even plane with greater coverage. This was an important discovery because the presence of rounder, unspread tow bundles of higher denier have the potential to impact the properties of the resultant composite due to inconsistent microstructure and/or increased thicknesses. This is similarly observed in comparing heat-cleaned thicknesses with sized thicknesses in Table 2. The extent to which the heavier denier and weave pattern fabrics accept ceramic matrix impregnation was also evaluated. It was observed that all fabrics identified in Table 2 were readily impregnable in the laboratory with relative ease. Further, automated prepregging operations using ceramic slurries were conducted on DF-19 (3,000 denier 3M™ Nextel™ 610), and EF-19 (3,000 denier Nextel 720), and EF-20 (10,000 denier Nextel 720), all of which demonstrated good impregnation performance and handling through the treating equipment, and little difficulty in roll winding or packaging. The expectation is that fabrics having as high as 20,000 denier could be prepregged using automated methods with relative ease. Evaluating prepreg drape characteristics is likewise central in determining if modified fabric architectures are suitable for largescale production. Base assessment of prepreg drape characteristics indicated that all fabrics of 3,000 denier or lower were not of concern during layup for radii of 1" (25mm) or greater, including fabric styles DF-19 and EF-19. DF-19-16-4500 exhibited fiber resistance and breaking and is suggested for components with gentler radii. Lastly, it was determined that 10,000 denier semi-unidirectional fabric EF-20 was able to be contoured in the 90° direction (perpendicular to dominant fibers) for tubular structures of appx. 1" (25mm) or greater. Composite laminate properties are presented in Tables 3 and 4. The characterization of laminate properties provides insight into finished composite laminate quality and microstructure, as well as standard properties such as density, ply count, and dimension. [caption id="attachment_1976" align="aligncenter" width="854"]















CONCLUSION
Fiber and fabric architectures enabling significant component-level cost reductions for OxOx CMC have been presented. While primary cost savings are achieved at the fiber level, secondary benefits may also be realized at other points in the OxOx CMC supply chain in transitioning to the heavier fabric designs. OxOx CMC prepregs of higher-denier fabrics have been produced, evaluated, and converted into composites for mechanical characterization. Prepregs layups may be completed on tight contours using up to 3,000 denier. Gentler geometries are advised for parts intended to be produced with 4,500 denier or above. Data and observations indicate that the transition to heavier denier yarns and architectures have relatively minimal effect on mechanical properties or on thermal stability of OxOx CMCs. Future research should be directed toward product standardization and design-quality data development for higher-denier fabrics to enable more flexibility in engineering design. It is recommended that part contours and layup characteristics are carefully considered in selecting the lowest cost fabric suitable for the application.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors acknowledge technical contributions from Jonathan Kemling, Moses Omafuaire, Adam Schendel, Mike Davidson, Giovanny Guanche, and Michelle Smith. This research was funded jointly by 3M, Axiom Materials, Inc., and Composites Horizons.REFERENCES
1Das, S., Warren, J., West, D., “Global Carbon Fiber Composites Supply Chain Competitive Analysis,” (2016) Oak Ridge National Laboratory Technical Report ORNL/SR-2016/100. 2Zok, F.W. "Developments in Oxide Fiber Composites," (2006). J. of Am. Cer. Soc., 89[11] 3309-3324. 3Volkmann, E., Tushtev, K., Koch, D., Wilhelmi, C., Goring, J., Rezwan, K., (2015) "Assessment of three oxide/oxide ceramic matrix composites: Mechanical performance and effects of heat treatments," Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 68, 19-28. 4Wilson, D.M., Visser, L.R. “High performance oxide fibers for metal and ceramic composites,” (2001) Composites - Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 32 (8) 1143-1153. 5Wilson, D.M. “Statistical tensile strength of Nextel 610 and Nextel™ 720 fibres,” (1997) Journal of Materials Science, 32 (10), 2535-2542. 6Axiom Materials, Inc. AX-CMC-610 Technical Data Sheet. Revision Date 3/2/16 7Askarinejad, S., Rahbar, N., Sabelkin, V., Mall, S., "Mechanical behavior of notched oxide/oxide ceramic matrix composite in combustion environment: experiments and simulations," (2015) Composite Structures, 127, 77-86. 8Taylor, M.D. “Chemistry and Manufacture of Alumina and Aluminosilicate Fibers,” (1999) Fine ceramic fibers, ed. M. Berger and A. Bunsell. 93M NextelTM Ceramic Textiles Technical Notebook, 11/04 Dec 15, 2020
Interview Spotlight
Johnny Lincoln, Ph. D. – President of Axiom Materials, Inc.
Background - Design and Build with Axiom Materials
Axiom Materials, Inc., is a progressive manufacturer of composite materials used to design and build some of the world’s most complex, highly engineered products. Our materials provide heat ...
Oct 21, 2020
Axiom to expand its CMC product portfolio with C/SiC and SiC/SiC composite
Axiom, a specialist in the development and supply of oxide/oxide CMC prepregs for aerospace and industrial applications, is to develop a line of carbon/SiC and SiC/SiC composite intermediates under license from JST (Japan Science and Technology ...
Jul 28, 2020
NIAR Testing of Axiom Materials’ Oxide Oxide CMC Prepreg
Axiom Materials is pleased to announce a cooperative program with Wichita State University’s National Institute of Aviation Research (NIAR) for the development of test techniques and data on our Oxide-Oxide ceramic matrix composite (CMC) prepreg ...
Aug 06, 2018
Axiom Announces More Expansion Plans
We’ve signed a lease for an additional 16,000 SF of space near our Santa Ana, CA facility for additional manufacturing, inventory, and technical / laboratory space. We look forward to building out the area for additional capacity and infrastructure.
Mar 01, 2018
New UD Line Coming 2018
We are proud to announce the addition of a dedicated Unidirectional Hot Melt Film Coating Machine to produce up to 25” wide unidirectional prepreg capable of producing fiber areal weights down to 60 gsm with on-line slitting capabilities.
Dec 01, 2017
Hot Melt Coating Head Improvements
Our process engineering team helped design and install a more accurate resin coater head for Hot Melt Machine #2 to achieve improved areal weight consistency for our film adhesives and prepregs.
Nov 23, 2017
New R&D Laboratory
We opened a matrix and adhesive formulating laboratory in Henderson, NV in Fall of 2016. This facility will help us to continue to drive forward innovation and flexibility in the advanced composites market.
Jun 05, 2017
Axiom Warehouse Expansion
Axiom has completed an aggressive expansion of its Santa Ana facility to offer much needed warehouse capacity. The expansion has more than doubled our warehouse space and enables improved product flow through our facility.
Jun 05, 2017
Customer / Sales Support
Axiom takes great pride in our customer support. Our customers know our customer service team by name and that will remain unchanged. Please come see the most responsive sales support team in the industry this September at 2017 CAMX.
Laboratory & Warehouse Expansions – Update
Warehouse: Axiom is pleased to announce that it will be breaking ground on its warehouse expansion in March 2016. All associated permits have been issued for the construction, which is expected to take 3-4 months to complete. Occupation is ...
Feb 11, 2016
Laboratory & Warehouse Expansions
Laboratory & Warehouse Expansions
Axiom Materials, Inc. announces plans to expand laboratory & warehouse spaces at the main plant in Santa Ana, CA. Enhanced facilities will support the Company's growth in response to high demand for ...
May 12, 2015
Plant Expansion Announcement
Axiom Materials, Inc. is pleased to announce the expansion of its production plant in Santa Ana, CA. The planned expansion includes the addition of two machine models, storage and inventory expansions, as well as a special process facility and ...
Apr 22, 2014
What we do
Axiom Materials, Inc., is a progressive composite materials manufacturer founded with the intention of combining a quality prepreg, adhesive, and ancillary composite products platform with customer-focused service and forward-thinking design.
Our reputation for agility and flexibility sets us apart in our industry. We work closely with clients across the globe in aerospace, military, automotive, industrial, sports and medical industries to create exceptional, next-generation solutions.
Axiom Materials, Inc. is AS9100D and ISO90012015 certified.
Kordsa acquired Axiom Materials, Inc in 2019. For more about Kordsa..
COMPOSITE
PREPREGS
Matrix coated composites that service advanced material applications.
ADHESIVES
& FORMULATIONS
Specialty bonding solutions and an innovative approach to meeting customer needs through creative chemistry.