SHD Composites Launches Clear Flame-Retardant Prepreg for Exposed Carbon Fiber Parts

Published date:15/04/2026 | Last updated date:15/04/2026

SHD Composites has introduced MTC521FR, a new flame-retardant clear epoxy prepreg developed for exposed carbon fiber parts where visual finish and certified fire performance must be achieved together.

The new material is aimed at high-end cosmetic carbon fiber applications in automotive, aircraft interiors, and marine, where manufacturers often face a difficult tradeoff between appearance and fire compliance. SHD says MTC521FR is designed to remove that compromise by combining optical clarity, dependable processing, and recognized fire-safety performance in one system.

Built for parts that must look premium and meet fire standards

Unlike conventional prepregs that prioritize either structural function or flame resistance, MTC521FR has been engineered specifically for visually critical components.

SHD says the system uses an all-new resin formulation tuned for both:

• cosmetic clarity
• flame-retardant performance

The result is a fully transparent epoxy prepreg that delivers consistent laminate quality while remaining suitable for exposed carbon fiber surfaces, where haze, discoloration, or resin inconsistency can quickly undermine the final part.

That makes the product particularly relevant for interior and visible trim applications where carbon fiber is part of the product’s design value, not just its structure.

Certified performance for safety-critical interiors

The commercial strength of the launch lies in its test credentials.

According to SHD, MTC521FR achieves:

• UL94 V1 classification
• CS/FAR 25.853 12-second vertical burn compliance
• CS/FAR 25.853 60-second vertical burn compliance

These results position the material for use in safety-critical cosmetic interior structures, especially in aerospace and transport sectors where fire certification is not optional.

For manufacturers, this reduces a familiar development problem: finding a prepreg that can satisfy both the styling team and the compliance team without forcing a second material choice.

Clear resin targets a growing design segment

The launch reflects a wider trend in advanced composites. Carbon fiber is no longer being used only in hidden structural parts. In premium transport markets, it is increasingly specified as a visible surface material, especially where brands want to communicate performance, refinement, or technical sophistication.

That creates new pressure on prepreg suppliers.

A material in this segment must do more than cure well. It has to offer:

• stable transparency
• repeatable laminate appearance
• reliable fire performance
• practical processability in production

SHD is clearly positioning MTC521FR at that intersection.

SHD emphasizes reliability, not just headline properties

Dr. Alix Sauget, R&D director at SHD Composites, described the material as a significant step forward in flame-retardant cosmetic prepregs, adding that customers increasingly expect premium appearance, dependable processing, and safety compliance in the same product.

That emphasis is important. In real composite production, a material only becomes useful when it performs consistently from batch to batch and from part to part. For exposed carbon fiber, visual inconsistency can be just as damaging commercially as technical failure.

Editor’s Note

MTC521FR enters the market as a specialist material, but it addresses a very real production gap. Many programs want the visual impact of exposed carbon fiber, yet still have to meet strict fire regulations, especially in aircraft interiors and premium transport applications.

SHD’s new prepreg is significant because it treats those two needs as one materials problem, not two separate ones.

If the system performs in production as cleanly as it does in testing, it could become a strong option for manufacturers building parts where appearance, compliance, and process stability all matter at the same time.