Fibre reinforcements | composites
Peter Mapleston reports on some of the latest developments in glass, carbon and alternative fi bre reinforcements for use in thermoplastic composites
Reinforcing the fi bre options
Suppliers of fi bres for reinforcing thermoplastics are working hard to deliver products to meet requirements for improved mechanical, chemical and even electrical properties. While glass fi bres might be considered a rather mature technology, producers are still making strides in high-end products and major capacity investments are changing the supplier landscape. There is also considerable activity in carbon fi bre development as well as basalt, which some believe could fi nd new opportunity in the thermoplastic composite arena. Last year, Owens Corning introduced its Performax SE4849 roving, which has been developed specifi cally to provide improved adhesion between fi bre and matrix in long-fi bre-reinforced thermoplastic polypropylene (LFT-PP) compounds. The new fi bre uses the com- pany’s boron-free Advantex glass, which combines the electrical and mechanical properties of traditional E-glass with the corrosion resistance and durability of E-CR glass.
Corey Melvin, Owens Corning product manager for LFTs, says Performax SE4849 has been
designed for hot-melt compounding, pultrusion, and direct compounding (DLFT). It can also be used to produce unidirectional continuous fi bre reinforced
thermoplastic (CFRT) tapes and is said to be well-suited for a broad range of consumer goods applications, such as appliances and power tools. “It provides additional
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Carbon fi bre is taking to the road in BMW’s i8 (left) and i3 electric cars
January/February 2015 | INJECTION WORLD 27
opportunities to replace traditional metals in complex and often challenging structural and semi- structural automotive components,” Melvin says. The company has also introduced new chopped
strands for PBT and PET under the grade name of 272. It says this product is designed for use in short fi bre compounding applications requiring superior electrical insulation properties, dimensional stability, and wear resistance. Target applications include automotive electrical systems and connectors. Last year also saw producer 3B extend its range of short glass fi bre reinforcements for high temperature resins. Grade DS 8800-11P is compatible with polymers such as polyethersulphone (PES), polyphenylenesulphide (PPS), polyetherimide (PEI), or polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Its, optimised dispersion behaviour allows its use in highly viscous resins and at loadings in excess of 55%.
Main image: Lehmann &
Voss is one of a growing number of
compounders incorporating carbon fi bres into its high
performance products
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