JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #104 - April/May 2016 - 15

Fig. 3: CAD model of a carbon
composite fuel tank

products. Marstrom Composite
chose autoclave-cured prepregs
in the early 80s, a technique
introduced by the aviation industry. The resulting quality was a
major boost when compared to
various wet lamination and resin
injection/infusion techniques.
After more than thirty years, no
other technology can provide the
same combination of low weight,
equal stiffness and strength, with
a consistently high quality as
autoclave curing.
Marstrom's production capacity
ranges from large autoclaves
13 and 35 metres in length to
large-size ovens, which brings another added value, on top of the
cluster's benefits, to its customers
for large parts or large-volume
production. Energy-effective
steam-assisted heating is used
to keep the autoclave's energy
consumption and environmental
impact as low as possible. Hence,
the process cost is also low.

Fig. 5: 40mm canon with cupola
assembled

Fig. 6: RIB in action

Ultra-light carbon composite
auxiliary fuel tanks providing an
increased operation range for the
Airbus EC/145 T2 helicopter
successfully passed all tests, e.g.
drop, vibration, flame and flight
tests (figures 3 and 4). The tanks
are manufactured by Marstrom
Composite, based on an initial
concept developed by SMC
(Scandinavian MediCopter) and
a design by BAM (Bromma Air
Maintenance).
The lightweight carbon fibre
composite design saves 30-40%
weight compared to the same
design made of aluminium. The
carbon composite fuel tank has
no negative impact on the cabin
comfort and internal space.

Cupola for marine
vessel cannons

The company currently
manufactures many different
products, such as rigid inflatable
boats (RIBs), masts and other
components for sailing boats,
main structures for Corvette
coastguard boats, main rotor
blades, stabilizers and tail booms
for unmanned helicopters,
panels for commercial aircraft
cargo systems, lamp posts for
street lighting, speaker cabinets,
tables for medical proton and
X-ray therapy, cupolas for marine
cannons, and more.

Marstrom entirely designed,
stress calculated and manufactured a cupola for BAE
Systems' 40mm cannon, aimed
for military ships. The cupola's
main function is to protect the
gun carriage, especially from
sea loads. The outer dimension
of the cupola is approximately
2.1m² for a total weight of
around 200kg. The cupola is
delivered together with the foundation and frame for the magazine, all the parts being made of
carbon fibre composite. The use
of composite structures instead
of metal saves weight, eliminates
corrosion problems and reduces
the number of components for
easier assembly (figure 5).

Loudspeakers

RIB boat for superyachts

Loudspeaker cabinets made of
carbon fibre composites combine
high stiffness and modern
design. Stiffness is required for an
ultimate sound experience. These
speakers reproduce sound strictly
as it was recorded (figure 2).

The company manufactures RIB
boats of three different types.
These high-quality, low weight
boats are particularly appreciated
when they need to be lifted and
docked in the yacht. Their fuel
consumption is half that of com-

Products
Fig. 4: Fuel tank installed in a
helicopter for test flights

Focus

Helicopter fuel tanks

No104 April - May 2016 /

Autoclave capacity:
- 35 x 1.7m; max. temperature
150°C; max. pressure 1.1MPa.
- 13 x 2.1m; max. temperature
150°C; max. pressure 1.1MPa.
- 1.5 x 1.5m; max. temperature
150°C; max. pressure 1.1MPa.
Total workshop area 2,700m2.
Paint bay area 30 x 3.5 x 2.4m.
Oven: 14 x 4 x 3m; max. temperature 130°C.

Fig. 7: Apid60 UAV with main rotor
blades, stabilizer and tail boom
supplied by Marstrom Composite

parable boats. None of those who
started to use these super-lightweight boats will ever go back to
the old boats (figure 6).
Marstrom Composite delivers all
the carbon fibre parts for these
light, highly qualified RIBs to its
cooperation partner Xtender. The
hulls with interior are shipped
to the Netherlands for final
assembly.

Unmanned
Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Marstrom Composite manufactures the main rotor blades,
stabilizer and tail boom for
CybAero's APID60 UAV
helicopter. The rotor blades are
painted and balanced before
delivery.
The UAV in figure 7 is equipped
with a camera system with a
casing supplied by Marstrom
Composite. Different types of
camera casings are manufactured
and delivered to FLIR Systems. n
More information:
www.marstrom.com

jec composites magazine 15

http://www.marstrom.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #104 - April/May 2016