JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #63 - March 2011 - 67

Increasingly demanding customer specifications such as durability, high strength and high temperature paired with weightsaving and cost-reduction requirements in the oil and gas, aerospace and industrial markets are requiring new solutions made of highperformance materials. The Victrex PEEK pipe represents the latest advances in both material and manufacturing technology. Raw-material properties and product technology have been combined to produce lightweight, wear- and corrosion-resistant polymer-based pipes and tubes that can be an excellent substitute for metals, providing long-term reliability in demanding operating conditions. Extruded from Victrex PEEK polymer, these pipes and tubes offer superior fire resistance, mechanical strength, abrasion and chemical resistance over a very broad temperature range versus other thermoplastics. Customer benefits range from cost effectiveness (compared to expensive corrosionresistant alloys) to lower installation costs, reduced power consumption and longer service life. Typical applications include composite pipe systems, aerospace piping systems, production tubing, pipe lining or composite risers. As a major supplier of thermoplastics to the composites industry, Victrex Polymer Solutions is developing new technologies following current trends in the composite sector, like more stringent performance requirements for structural parts, cost reductions, efficient out-of-autoclave processing, weight reduction and environmental compliance. www.victrex.com

Multi-sector

- When Hexcel launched HexTow® IM10 at JEC 2010, it attracted a lot of attention. Basalt fibres are used more and more Since then, many customers have initiated programmes to fully characterize this in composite applications such as exciting new fibre and see what benefits it will bring to a wide range of applications. automotive parts, corrosion-resistant This year, Hexcel will again be showcasing this breakthrough intermediate-modulus products, sport items, friction carbon-fibre technology, which has 20% higher tensile strength and applications, high-pressure vessels, 10% higher modulus than the HexTow® IM7 fibre used in many of construction, and the marine industry. the world’s best-performing aerospace prepregs. - PrimeTex™ is a range of carbon fabrics processed for a smooth, At the JEC 2011, Basaltex will show closed weave and uniform cosmetic appearance. The fibre tows are prepreg basalt fabrics with a bio-based spread in both the warp and weft direction, delivering a unique resin. Combining the unique fireaesthetic appeal and improving mechanical performance, allowing resistance properties of basalt fabrics with Hexcel to produce 160 gsm 3K with 99% closure ratio where those of the bio-based resin makes it others weavers propose much more open fabrics. These innovative possible to produce 100%-natural firespreading processes are patented. PrimeTex™ fabrics have a more uniform weave because resistant panels with no toxic emissions. the filaments in each tow are spread out, creating a thinner and more closely woven fabric that provides better mechanical properties and less porosity in a composite. They can Preserving the integrity of the basalt fibres also be used to lower the weight of composites where weight saving is a prime objective. at high temperatures is a major advantage PrimeTex™ can be made with larger tow fibres without weight increase. in fire-resistant composites. Additionally, - HexPly® M77 is a new prepreg resin system from Hexcel that brings significant the bio-based resin does not contain free advantages to the market. It provides a very fast and efficient composite manufacturing formaldehyde, avoiding the problems that process, curing in only 2 minutes at 150°C. It also has a long shelf life of 6 weeks at 23°C. occur with phenolic resins. Other features, such as a Tg of 120°C and good adhesive properties (e.g. when bonding to honeycombs or aluminium), make it highly suitable for large-volume production. Potential markets are high-risk fields such HexPly® M77 is also fully compliant with REACH regulations. Based on the HexPly® as public transportation, the oil & gas M77 resin system, Hexcel has launched a range of prepregs with glass or carbon industry, construction and aeronautics. reinforcements in multiaxial form, as well as woven fabrics and UD tapes.
www.basaltex.com www.hexcel.com

Fire-resistant basalt-reinforced natural composites > Booth K74

Multi-sector

Metal replacement and weight savings with PEEK

New developments in carbon fibre
> Booth J11

Biaxial warp-knitted > Booth F31 3D structures

Warp-knitted 3D structures have two external surfaces that can be designed freely. The two outer layers are connected while being kept apart by spacer threads from a variety of materials. The resulting complex textile structures combine flexibility and structural stability.

SITgrid is a technological breakthrough based on an innovative warp-knitting procedure. Two biaxial glass lattices are joined to a spatial structure with a pile thread.
www.solutions-in-textile.com

> Booth G57

No63 March 2011 / jec composites magazine

Special JEC Show 2011

http://www.victrex.com http://www.solutions-in-textile.com http://www.basaltex.com http://www.hexcel.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #63 - March 2011

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