When it comes to composite manufacturing, precision and reliability aren’t just preferences—they’re necessities. One often-overlooked factor that can make or break a production run is prepreg compatibility. At Ru-bix, we’ve developed a simple yet highly effective solution to this issue: the Benchmark Graduated Colorimeter (BGC) test.
This proprietary tool plays a key role in ensuring that our Halo-S® tooling boards perform seamlessly with high-performance prepreg systems—especially epoxy-based composites used across the automotive, aerospace, and marine sectors.
Why Prepreg Compatibility Matters
In many composite applications, pre-impregnated (prepreg) fibres are laid over tooling boards and then cured at elevated temperatures. However, certain board chemistries—especially those based on polyurethanes—can lead to cure inhibition, compromising the final part’s integrity, finish, or even its safety.
Cure inhibition is often invisible during layup but becomes obvious after curing, resulting in:
- Sticky or uncured surfaces
- Delamination
- Weakened structural properties
- Costly reworks or scrap
This makes prepreg compatibility testing essential during the selection of tooling materials.
What Is the Benchmark Graduated Colorimeter Test?
The BGC test is the proprietary method Ru-Bix use to evaluate whether a tooling board could cause cure inhibition when used with epoxy prepregs.
Using a colorimetric approach—much like a litmus test—the BGC measures chemical activity on the surface of a board that could interfere with resin cure. The results are numerical, providing a clear, objective measure of risk:
- Rating 1: Completely compatible – no inhibition
- Rating 2: Low risk – suitable with additional processing
- Rating 3–4: High risk – not recommended for prepregs
All Halo-S® boards consistently receive a rating of 1, confirming their full compatibility with advanced epoxy prepregs.
Peace of Mind for Manufacturers
The BGC test gives manufacturers something incredibly valuable: confidence. By choosing Ru-Bix boards with verified compatibility, engineers and production teams can:
- Reduce risk of part failure
- Ensure consistency across batches
- Minimise production downtime
- Eliminate guesswork from material selection
Our commitment to quality assurance and material testing is just one more way Ru-Bix supports smarter, more sustainable composite manufacturing.
A Trusted Tool in High-Stakes Industries
Whether you’re constructing high-precision tooling layouts for aerospace, electric vehicles, or marine innovation, material reliability is non-negotiable. The BGC test is a cornerstone of our quality control process, helping to ensure that what you see on paper translates to outstanding consistency and precision in the workshop.