LFTs | COMPOUNDS
Long fibre compounds rise to the challenge
Long fibre reinforced thermoplastics (LFTs), either used alone or in hybrid constructions, are delivering the performance and weight savings required for the most demanding applications. Jennifer Markarian finds out more
Long-fibre thermoplastic (LFT) compounds — also sometimes known as long-fibre reinforced thermo- plastics (LFRTs) — are playing a critical role in the development and production of high-performance parts for an ever-broadening range of applications, particularly in automotive, sporting goods, and consumer and industrial products. Some of these LFTs are replacing metals, bringing the benefits of design freedom as well as lighter weight to reduce carbon footprint. And, as sustainability issues gain ground, there is a trend to LFTs made with biobased polymers. Thomas Collet, Director of Marketing for the Customised Polymer Materials division of Lehmann & Voss (LehVoss), says the company has consider- able expertise in the application of biobased polymers for technical and performance applica- tions. He says that castor oil biobased polyamides
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such as PA11 and PA410 offer a lower carbon footprint as well as lower water absorption com- pared to other PA products. PA410 also offers better mechanics, temperature and chemical resistance than either PA6 or PA66. The company’s PA410 LFT compounds rein-
forced with long carbon fibre, in particular, demon- strate very high mechanical strength and high impact energy absorption. The first in this line is its Luvocom LFT14 grade. Collet says the compounds are finding use in high-performance sports equipment and highly stressed machine parts, especially where high impulse loads occur. To demonstrate this high performance capabil-
ity, Lehvoss is supporting an e-bike expedition through North Africa that uses Luvocom short- carbon fibre thermoplastics in the frame and long carbon fibre thermoplastics for more highly
March 2024 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 15
Main image: Long fibre
thermoplastics (LFTs) are increasingly finding application in replacement of metals or other thermoplastics where they can help lift
performance and cut weight
IMAGE: AVIENT
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