JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #58 - June - July 2010 - 53

USERS’ PLATFORM
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Velcro for low-cost 3D composites
The new international patent-pending approach from Advanced Fiber Materials Technologies, Co., Ltd. uses velcro on both sides of fibre sheets and 2D laying technology to produce 3D composites with increased interlaminar strength. This development is the result of a partnership with Owens Corning for raw materials and Shandong Shuangyi Group Co., Ltd. as the end-user of a wind-turbine nacelle.
ost composite laminates are produced by stacking fibre sheets layer by layer and bonding them with plastics. Therefore, their low interlaminar strength often leads to out-ofplane failures such as delamination under various loads on composite structures, especially under impact and compression fatigue loads.

increase fatigue strength, bolt-hole strength, bonding/connection strength and composite quality, while greatly improving the efficiency and consistency of the lay-up process, since the easy-to-handle hook-andloop fabrics can be used in automated processes.

Innovation
The new technology developed by Advanced Fiber Materials Technologies, Co., Ltd. (hereafter AFMT) uses hook-andloop fasteners (velcro) on both sides of fibre sheets to produce 3D composites with enhanced interlaminar strength, without disturbing the 2D laying processes used in today’s main composite production technologies.
Fig. 2: 3D velcro composite

aramid, using proprietary technologies (see Figures 1, 2). Han-3D-Fabrics and Han-3D-Composites are the registered names for this technology. According to its inventors, the low-cost hook-and-loop 3D fabric is cost competitive with the current 2D laminate composites in the market. Shandong Shuangyi Group Co., Ltd. uses these 3D fabrics to make windturbine nacelle covers and other products.

Fig. 3: Tear test

Market potential
The development phase for Han-3DFabrics has been fully completed, and the fabrics have already been launched in China and the USA. As low-cost 3D fabric and prepreg products, Han-3DComposites can be used in the energy, aerospace, automotive, chemical and construction industries. Advanced Fiber Materials Technologies Co. estimates that 10-25% of all composite products in the world can be made by this new 3D technology. More information: www.3dnanocomposites.com nathan.han@3dnanocomposites.com

Added value
Test results and theoretical analyses conducted by AFMT show that Han-3DComposites can increase interlaminar strength by 50-100%, compression strength by more than 20%, impact strength by some 20% and lay-up efficiency by 40% (see Figure 3). They can also significantly

Fig. 1 : Glass fibre Han-3D-Fabric

The hook-and-loop fabrics can be produced with any fibres, such as carbon, glass and

More information
Advanced Fiber Materials Technologies Co., Ltd. (AFMT) specializes in 3D composites and nanocomposites and was founded by a group of experienced PhD professionals. AFMT aims to offer stronger low-cost 3D composite products at a price competitive with the current 2D laminate composites in the market.

No58 June - July 2010 / jec composites magazine

http://www.3dnanocomposites.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #58 - June - July 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #58 - June - July 2010