Introduction
Hexcel's HiTape® Dry Carbon Tapes have significantly enhanced the performance, manufacturing efficiency, and surface finish of Madshus skis. Madshus, a renowned ski manufacturer, has been at the forefront of using composite materials since 1974, continually evolving its ski construction techniques.

Specifications and Requirements
Madshus required competitively priced carbon fiber tapes with minimal fuzz production and strict tolerances for aerial weight and width. Hexcel, through its Norwegian distributor Lindberg & Lund, collaborated with Madshus to develop next-generation dry carbon fiber tapes tailored for cross-country racing skis.

Product Features
HiTape® is a high-performance dry unidirectional (UD) tape manufactured at Hexcel’s Les Avenieres site. It features dry fiber tows sandwiched between lightweight thermoplastic veils, resulting in a clean, fuzz-free product ideal for automated production. The tapes offer excellent formability and permeability, facilitating rapid material placement and infusion.

Manufacturing Process
Madshus employs a rapid curing high-pressure epoxy molding process. The dry carbon tapes and woven glass fiber fabrics are fixed to precision-shaped PU cores, followed by a glass fiber braided sock to secure the reinforcements. The ski blank is then placed in an aluminum mold with the topsheet and running base before resin injection.

Performance and Reception
The HiTape® products have been well-received, significantly reducing fuzz and furball build-up. Lindberg and Lund now deliver nearly 500,000lm of HiTape® annually, with demand expected to rise. HiTape® provides prepreg-like mechanical properties without requiring an autoclave, making it suitable for various applications beyond winter sports.

Conclusion
HiTape® materials represent the pinnacle of dry carbon fiber UD tape technology, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for automated production. According to Bjørn Ivar Austrem, Technical Director at Madshus, the clean edges of HiTape® enhance the molding process and improve the surface finish of the skis.

Hexcel Product Family
Hexcel offers a comprehensive range of composite materials, including HexTow® carbon fibers, HexForce® reinforcements, HiMax™ multiaxial reinforcements, HexPly® prepregs, HexMC® molding compounds, HexFlow® RTM resins, HexBond™ adhesives, HexTool® tooling materials, HexWeb® honeycombs, and more.