Webinar: Tool Smarter, Repair Stronger: Kaneka’s Low-temp BMI and Advanced Resin Repair System by Gardner Business Media, Inc. Webinars

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About This Webinar

Kaneka Aerospace specializes in high-performance composite materials tailored for aerospace and industrial applications. Its portfolio of prepregs, resins and adhesives delivers properties that go beyond lightweight and strength — enabling customers to achieve greater value in manufacturing and sustainability.

In this session, Kaneka Aerospace will unveil recent innovations in tooling and structural repair, two critical areas for the economics and longevity of composite structures.

Kaneka Aerospace has developed a unique BMI prepreg designed to lower tooling costs while maintaining high performance. Unlike traditional BMI tools that require high-temperature master molds and costly fabrication processes, this prepreg cures first at 250 °F (121 °C) and then undergoes a free-standing post-cure at 400 °F (204 °C). The lower initial cure temperature allows the use of less expensive master molds, while testing demonstrates the carbon fiber reinforced BMI tools’ thermal and dimensional stability under extended use.

To further support the composites market’s growth and sustainability goals, Kaneka offers a proprietary repair resin engineered for efficient structural repair. Its low viscosity and balanced mechanical properties ensure effective filling of damage such as delamination and matrix cracks. Comparative testing of repaired versus undamaged composites highlights strong performance across tensile strength, fracture toughness, compression after impact (CAI), and combined loading compression (CLC), showcasing repair as a cost-effective alternative to part replacement.

Presented by:

Presenters

David Leach

Composites Materials Technology and Business Leader

David Leach has over 35 years experience in polymers, composites and adhesives. He has been engaged in materials and process research, applications development, operations, new product introduction and business development. David has held leadership roles at Henkel, Cytec (now Syensqo) and ATC Manufacturing. He is author or co-author of six book chapters and over 50 technical papers. David is a fellow of SAMPE and the UK Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

Ken Wong

Senior Technical Services Manager, Kaneka Aerospace

Ken is a senior technical services manager at Kaneka Aerospace. He has over 17 years of experience in the composite and adhesive industry. Ken leads the technical service department and works closely with customers to promote innovative composite applications.

Todd "TJ" Chace

Senior Director of Research and Development, Janicki Industries

TJ has been with Janicki Industries since 2012. He has worked as a manufacturing engineer, R&D engineer, lab manager and R&D manager. In his current role, he steers the company’s efforts to explore innovative materials and technologies to maintain Janicki’s position as a leader in the composites industry.

TJ has worked in the composites industry since 2005 with experience raging from automotive, sporting goods, aerospace, tooling and more. As an engineer, he specialized in secondary adhesive bonding applications, challenging composite molding processes and materials characterization. He has worked on key programs for major commercial aerospace, military aerospace, spaceflight and many more

Lou Dorworth

Direct Services Division Manager, Abaris

Louis C. Dorworth has been involved in the advanced composites industry since 1978. He has been associated with Abaris since its inception in 1983 and has been employed by Abaris training resources, Inc. since 1989. He now serves as the direct services division manager at Abaris.

By trade, Lou is a composite materials and process (M&P) specialist, with experience in research and development, material and process engineering, manufacturing engineering, tool design/engineering, tool fabrication and teaching composite related subjects.

Lou is also a well-published author, conference presenter and co-author of the popular textbook titled “Essentials of Advanced Composite Fabrication & Repair,” Third Edition.

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