Overair partners with Toray for Butterfly prototype aircraft program
Overair, Inc., an eVTOL aircraft manufacturer, and Toray Composite Materials America, Inc., an advanced composite materials company, have recently announced a strategic collaboration.
Under the partnership, the advanced prepreg system of Toray will be utilized in the Butterfly prototype program of Overair. The Butterfly, unparalleled in efficiency and safety, is a zero-emission, low-noise eVTOL aircraft designed to provide sustainable aerial ridesharing across densely populated cities.
For the record, the Butterfly prototype eVTOL aircraft utilizes the T1100/3960 prepreg system of Toray, which is developed for high-performance aerospace applications where it is critical to maintaining the optical ratio of the strength to modulus properties. The system is used in the propulsion units and airframe structure of the Butterfly.
In addition, Toray’s 3960 is a highly-toughened 177°C or 350°F cure epoxy resin. Its glass transition temperature is around 204°C or 400°F. Optimized for increased performance, this resin allows for out-of-autoclave and autoclave curing.
The resin is also synergistic with the TORAYCA T1100 next-gene IM+ (intermediate modulus plus) carbon fiber, which has the highest tensile strength among fibers available today.
According to Ben Tigner, Overair’s Co-Founder and CEO, the company has shown excitement to closely collaborate with Toray to leverage its advanced materials while continuing to develop all-electric experimental prototype eVTOL aircraft.
Tigner added the company’s propulsion system needs materials with a unique combination of high strength and stiffness, in addition to maintaining the vehicle’s optimal weight targets.
Toray’s Director of Business Development for Aerospace, Jeff Cross, reportedly cited that the company is honored to provide the Butterfly aircraft a unique performance advantage through its 3960 prepreg system. Its portfolio of advanced materials can help Overair achieve the objective of developing reliable, efficient, and safe eVTOL aircraft.
Recently, Overair completed the full-scale testing of the propulsion system of Butterfly. Its successful testing program validated the company’s design choices and expected performance capabilities of the aircraft.
The propeller will be presented at the Farnborough International Air Show from 18th July to 22nd July in England.
