JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #39 - March/April 2008 - 80

SPECIAL JEC COMPOSITES 2008 Laminatable core materials > Stand S49 Spheretex (Hilden Germany) is a leading manufacturer of laminatable core materials. Its basic materials are combinations of reinforcing fibres with thermoplastic microballoons. These kinds of materials can be used in open and closed moulding (VIP RTM) systems. All Spheretex qualities are covered with , outer skins of high-modulus fibres to produce sandwich constructions with high physical properties and low specific gravity. Many material combinations are possible and can be produced as multilayer complexes in order to reduce handling and labour costs. New types of Spheretex IP materials (injection, infusion process) are now available. These materials are multilayer complexes that combine the advantages of the Spheretex qualities with excellent flow properties through the addition of a special flow media. Spheretex has also developed special grades to improve surface performance (sphere.skin). www.spheretex.com Pre-impregnated slit tow tape (STT) for aerospace > Stand W67 applications Web Industries provides the composite industry with precision slitting and spooling services for carbon fibre prepreg tapes in support of commercial aerospace manufacturing worldwide. Combining short-fibre conformability with long-fibre > Stand T29 composite characteristics As the aerospace market has embraced commercial scale construction using pre-impregnated fibre tape in automated fibre placement (AFP) lines, Web has worked with leading prepreg suppliers over the past 20 years to develop the global standard for slit tow tape in aerospace applications. With cleanroom manufacturing environments controlled for temperature and humidity, and with substantial on-site freezer capacity, Web has the infrastructure and processes to expertly manage the material flow of carbon fibre prepreg tapes and other sensitive composites. Highly productive, customized slitting and spooling equipment, sophisticated process controls, automated inspection systems, electronic documentation and a highly trained staff provide tight tolerance, highly regulated products. www.webindustries.com The Advanced Composite Group has developed an innovative prepreg technology that combines the conformability of a short-fibre moulding compound with the directional characteristics of a high-performance long-fibre composite: DForm DCS (Deformable Composite System). This unique combination of characteristics is achieved through selective fibre slitting of a unidirectional prepreg precursor. In a multi-layer configuration, this can then be laminated in a similar manner to a conventional woven fabric prepreg offering nearly equivalent strength and no loss of stiffness. DForm DCS does not require detailed laminating or extensive vacuum debulking. Flowing under press or autoclave pressure and replicating precise details, it creates a very flat, printthrough-free surface profile with no local part thinning or loss of fibre orientation. DForm is particularly suited to the manufacture of composite tooling and offers a 20-30% reduction in lay-up time, as well as a superior surface finish compared to standard fabric-based tooling systems. Furthermore, the directional nature of the structure maintains dimensional accuracy and performance predictability, which is a major advantage over random short-fibre and resin infusion tooling systems. www.acg.co.uk > Stand T17 Nanoparticles fillers for eco-friendly composites Nanoledge develops novel and innovative eco-resin systems based on nanoparticles fillers to improve the damage tolerance and electrical conductivity of resins. The aim is to replace conventional macro fillers with nanoparticles and reach better performance levels with fewer chemicals, thereby complying with environmental concerns. The Nano In eco-resins are novel and innovative products with superior mechanical, electrical and multifunctional properties. They are filled with nanoparticles using the proprietary Nano In technology. These products are compatible with conventional processes (e.g. laminates, RTM, prepregs, etc.) and are packaged as ready-to-use thermosetting resins. Nanobase resins are sold to formulators and prepreggers, while a series of nano-formulated eco-resins is currently under development. Immediate applications can be found in sporting goods, such as those produced by the Ecomoana eco-friendly surfboard www.nanoledge.com company, and wind energy. JEC Composites Magazine / No39 March-April 2008

http://www.spheretex.com http://www.webindustries.com http://www.acg.co.uk http://www.nanoledge.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #39 - March/April 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #39 - March/April 2008