PLANT MANAGEMENT
An Exel Composites pultruded tube
tubes (lightweight, strong, non- rotting and corrosion resistant) mean the market is capturing area from traditional materials. He said: “The expanding market initiates more development towards the process, materials and technologies themselves. This leads to even better products with higher efficiency bringing the production costs down, too.” The tubes are used for multiple
applications such as machine parts (robots) or parts of the production line (rollers for films/paper) in the process manufacturing industry. There are countless possibilities for the use of lightweight and strong composites.
WHY PULTRUDED COMPOSITES? Composite materials, such as carbon fiber and fiberglass, provide substantial benefits over traditional materials for wide-diameter tubes, particularly when manufactured using the pultrusion method. This continuous production process
involves drawing reinforcing fibers, such as glass or carbon, through
a resin matrix and curing them in a heated die to create lightweight, durable profiles with exceptional precision. Pultrusion significantly reduces material waste and ensures consistent quality, making it an efficient and reliable solution for producing high-performance tubes.
THE BENEFITS OF DENSITY For instance, glass fiber has a density of around 2.5 g/cm3
,
approximately 75 per cent less than steel at 7.85g/cm3
, despite possessing
superior strength. Such low density gives composites an edge over other materials. Although glass fiber may come at a higher material cost, its lighter weight makes it quicker to install and requires few personnel, ultimately lowering labour costs and speeding up project timelines.
FUTURE APPLICATIONS The role of wide diameter composite tubes is set to expand significantly as demand for sustainable infrastructure solutions grows. Their high strength-
to-weight ratio makes them ideal for applications such as pedestrian bridge supports or in the rehabilitation of existing structures, offering a durable and low-maintenance alternative to traditional materials.
THE ROBOTICS MARKET In robotics, the use of wide diameter tubes in large-scale manipulators is expected to increase, with composites enabling the creation of lightweight yet robust structures. Similarly, in aerospace, these tubes could become integral to support structures for aircraft and spacecraft, aiding in weight reduction while maintaining strength. As engineering embraces
these innovations, the strength and durability of wide diameter composite tubes make them a ‘must have’ across such diverse industries as water infrastructure, oil and gas and modern aerospace.
For more information visit:
www.exelcomposites.com
www.engineerlive.com 13
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