Russia launches domestic high‑temperature composite for aircraft engines

Russian company ITEKMA has begun mass production of a high‑temperature carbon‑fiber composite polymer designed for the country's aircraft engines and airframes. The material, supplied as prepreg sheets, can operate from –190 °C up to 450 °C and retains strength at temperatures where typical carbon fibers would soften or degrade. It is used in the PD‑8 and PD‑14 turbofan engines and the MC‑21 transport aircraft, with binders including epoxy, bismaleimide and phthalonitrile that allow continuous operation at about 350 °C.

The entire manufacturing chain—from carbon‑fiber drawing to autoclave curing of the prepreg—is carried out inside Russia, eliminating reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthening the nation’s aerospace technology independence.