Processing | composites
Composites aim to deliver
Thermoplastic composites hold considerable potential in a wide range of markets requiring light weight and high performance. Automotive has certainly led the way, but improvements in processing technologies and materials are now opening up new application opportu- nities in sectors such as aerospace, construction, electronics and consumer goods. Injection moulding specialist Engel has been working
in close collaboration with BASF on a custom-designed manufacturing unit for processing fi bre-reinforced thermoplastics at the material company’s Ludwigshafen technology centre in Germany. This thermoplastics processing technology centre is designed to serve two roles. Firstly, it supports product development on-site by testing the processability and properties of new materials. Secondly, it provides a resource for custom- ers to conduct joint development with BASF on new applications – in particular with BASF’s range of Ultracom products. Finding new solutions to increase the use of thermoplastic composites in automotive applications is a key role for the centre. Engel has supplied an e-Insert 400 injection moulding machine to meet BASF’s specifi c require- ments. With a nominal clamping force of 400 tonnes, the system includes a fully integrated heating plate and temperature control system from Dr Collin of Germany.
www.injectionworld.com
The latest injection moulding machinery and materials
developments are creating new opportunities for thermoplastic composites, writes Mark Holmes
The design of the clamping unit allows pressing of sheets of up to 450mm by 450mm in size, as well as the space to mount injection moulds with a surface area of up to 700mm by 1200mm. The machine is designed not only for injection moulding, but also to pre-heat, consolidate, press and form the semi-fi nished fi bre reinforced materials. Engel says the machine’s ability to heat up the composite sheet at low pressure, increase pressure at a constant temperature, and then lower the temperature at a constant pressure is a processing breakthrough in this sector as it allows the semi-fi nished material to be melted under almost no pressure to avoid displacing the fi bres. Less than 10% of the machine nominal pressure is used for this melting phase. The semi-
Main image: Hybrid long
glass and long carbon fi bre thermoplastic composite
pellets from US-based
PlastiComp
January/February 2015 | INJECTION WORLD 19
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