JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #63 - March 2011 - 66

innovations

Multi-sector

European flax and hemp: ecological and technical value for composites Chemical- and wear-resistant thermoplastic composites > Booth X64 Leather-looking composites New blade repair system

> Booth M80

Heralding an industry more respectful of the planet and its renewable resources, natural fibres differ by their technical added value for the industrial market. The European Confederation of flax & hemp – CELC – is the only agro-industrial organization which brings together the whole production chain for flax and hemp fibres, from farmers up to weavers, in 14 European countries. The CELC’s Technical Uses Section acts as an interface, identifying the needs of multiple industrial sectors and the industrialization capabilities of the flax and hemp sector for technical applications. The Section is at the centre of a European network of specialized technical institutes, universities and companies. Supported by a European scientific committee, the Section has positioned itself as the European hub to group all new applications for these two plant fibres. Seven researchers, under the leadership of Prof. I. Verpoest from KU Leuven, are pooling their knowledge to establish a state of the art in flax and hemp composites, as well as the necessary developments required from the flax and hemp community. These developments focus on preform production, the mechanical properties of fibres and the fibre-matrix adhesion. A database gathering all the recent research projects involving the use of flax and hemp fibres in composites is under development. Recent developments for composite applications will be demonstrated through the flax and hemp directory available at booth M80. More information will be provided at the JEC Forum devoted to bio-based materials. www.mastersoflinen.com
> Booth K44

Multi-sector

Multi-sector

66

jec composites magazine / No63 March 2011
www.haufler.com

Haufler Composites is a manufacturer of custommade semi-products consisting of carbon fabrics and thermosetting or thermoplastic matrices. The company produces high-performance CF/PEEK boards consisting of woven carbon fabric and PEEK (polyetheretherketone). Its upgraded thermoplastic semiproducts for demanding applications are the result of its expert knowledge and constant customer-focused research. Custom-made carbon fabric/PEEK boards are compression-moulded by Haufler Composites in thicknesses up to 80 mm. These semi-products display superior properties like stiffness, exceptional chemical and abrasion resistance, very low thermal expansion, thermal stability up to 250°C, low moisture absorption and X-ray transparency. Due to their outstanding performance, CF/PEEK semiproducts are a most promising material for the production of chemically-resistant parts like nozzles, valves and gaskets, sliding parts like slide rings, bearings and guide rails and other challenging members.

The Renuvo blade repair system offers a fresh and novel approach to the blade-repair market, addressing many of the practical issues that have prevented more effective and expedient maintenance programmes. The system provides solutions for damage arising from production, transportation and in-field use. With a working temperature range that starts at +5°C, there is a wider weather window for repair. Traditional wet laminating materials must normally be used above +15°C, as they can suffer from bi-product and handling issues. Summer- and winter-grade versions of the Renuvo MPS (Multi-Purpose System) and Renuvo PP (prepreg) are available to cope with most conditions. The Renuvo product range has transformed the conditions for repair by using UV light from Renuvo lamp technology to cure materials in minutes. A spot lamp is available for simple maintenance repairs, with a higher-intensity product available for deeper structural repairs using Renuvo PP. Both lamps are available exclusively from Gurit. Benefits include: - over 50% reduction in structural repair time; - low-odour, zero-VOC resin; - styrene and amine free; - GL certified product range; - extended weather window for repair from +5°C; - zero post-cure for repair; - compatible with all types of blade construction including prepreg, epoxy infusion and polyester infusion.
www.gurit.com

Multi-sector

> Booth K65

The product is an imitation leather in standard colours, reinforced with expanded glass fibre that provides the exact appearance of leather. The interest of the product is that it adds a leather surface aspect to a material that is very light, solid and watertight. The imitation leather is treated to resist chemical aggressions and friction. It is particularly recommended for large parts where PU cannot be used, or for small and middle-sized series. www.puralite.fr
http://www.mastersoflinen.com http://www.haufler.com http://www.gurit.com http://www.puralite.fr
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #63 - March 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #63 - March 2011
