Eaton Aerospace Ltd. has developed the capability to design, manufacture and qualify tubular Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) structures. Composite tubular and moulded composite components are designed specifically to meet our customers’ requirements and are used in such diverse fields as aerospace and Formula 1 motor racing. All testing and major processes are carried out in-house thus ensuring total project control. Our in-depth understanding of materials, comprehensive analytical facilities and the appreciation of our customers' system needs, enables Eaton Aerospace Ltd. to design low weight components for maximum efficiency with minimum life cycle costs.

Tubular components are manufactured using a method that is quite different from traditional methods. Traditional filament winding of carbon fibre composites includes the placement of the 'tow' on a mandrel, first passing it through a 'wet' bath of resin. The method employed by Eaton Aerospace Ltd. is to use pre-preg carbon fibre tape applied directly to the mandrel. This has the following advantages:

Accurate placement of the angle and position of the fibres.

Controlled tension and compaction of the composite material.

Accurate control of the resin/fibre ratio.

Repeatable surface finish characteristics.

Fast, multi-mandrel winding.

Moulded components are produced by both injection moulding and compression moulding methods. These processes use a variety of high performance engineering thermoplastics and thermoset materials.