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Composite slitting and rewinding service
Reinforced Plastics Volume 61, Number 2 March/April 2017
TECHNOLOGY
Universities in the UK have developed new technology that could improve the electrical and thermal conductivity of conventional composite materials. The Universities of Surrey and Bristol and aerospace company Bombardier researched how to grow nanomaterials, specifically carbon nanotubes, on the surface of the carbon fibers to impart these necessary properties. This could allow a carbon fiber reinforced plastic to be made multifunctional, while still maintaining its structural integrity. Novel functionality including sensors, energy harvesting lighting and communication antennae could be integrated into the structure of the composite to usher in a new era in composite technology. ‘The aerospace industry still relies on metallic structures, in the form of a copper mesh, to provide lightning strike protection and prevent static charge accumulation on the upper surface of carbon fiber composites because of the poor electrical conductivity,’ said Dr Thomas Pozegic, Research Associate in ACCIS and formerly a PhD student at the University of Surrey. ‘This adds weight and makes fabrication with carbon fiber composites difficult. The material that we have developed utilises high-quality carbon
TECHNOLOGY
Carbon nanotubes improve composite conductivity
Vertically grown carbon nanotubes on the carbon fibers (horizontal black lines) enhance the electrical (e-) and thermal (q) properties of the composite. Photo courtesy University of Bristol.
nanotubes grown at a high density to allow electrical transport throughout the composite material.’ ‘The research has shown that carbon nanotubes can significantly enhance the thermal conductivity of carbon fiber composites,’ added Dr Ian Hamerton, Reader in
Polymers and Composite Materials in ACCIS, commented. ‘This will have widereaching benefits in the aerospace industry, from enhancing de-icing solutions to minimising the formation of fuel vapours at cruising altitudes.’ University of Surrey; www.surrey.ac.uk
Gurit launches two new products for automotive Gurit has introduced two new products destined for the automotive market: Gurit Smartcure epoxy prepreg press molding system and Gurit Prime low pressure resin transfer molding (RTM) system. Gurit Smartcure has been specifically designed to meet the volume manufacturing needs of the automotive industry, because it can help speed up production processes while
ensuring constant part quality, the company says. The five-minute curing prepreg allows for automated lay-up, pre-forming at room temperature and rapid hot-in hot-out production methods at high service temperatures. The system is suitable for a range of structural and non-structural applications and has successfully been beta-tested by various car manufacturers and tier-1 suppliers.
Gurit Prime 180 is a two-component low pressure RTM system designed to achieve high temperature performance and good surface clarity for structural and aesthetic applications. The resin system’s low ambient viscosity and wide injection window allow for quicker fill times resulting in fast processing cycles and increased productivity. Gurit; www.gurit.com
Composite slitting and rewinding service Cristex Composite Materials has introduced a new slitting and rewinding service which can convert master rolls of glass and carbon fiber fabrics to narrow width tapes, which are typically used in areas of high stress where reinforcement is required. Master rolls of up to 1.7 m in width can be accommodated and the company offers
ISO9001 certification and full traceability and quality. ‘We can supply and process materials here at Cristex prior to shipment, saving our customers time and money,’ said Bruce Craig, director. ‘Similarly, we can assist customers if they already have the material, as our set up and cutting costs are fixed to offer a real cost saving option.’
Cristex also provides a technical textile cutting service, which uses the nesting software that makes economical use of materials. Kitting removes the problem of scrap and material off cuts from customers’ premises. Cristex Composite Materials; www.cristex.co. uk
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TECHNOLOGY
Universities in the UK have developed new technology that could improve the electrical and thermal conductivity of conventional composite materials. The Universities of Surrey and Bristol and aerospace company Bombardier researched how to grow nanomaterials, specifically carbon nanotubes, on the surface of the carbon fibers to impart these necessary properties. This could allow a carbon fiber reinforced plastic to be made multifunctional, while still maintaining its structural integrity. Novel functionality including sensors, energy harvesting lighting and communication antennae could be integrated into the structure of the composite to usher in a new era in composite technology. ‘The aerospace industry still relies on metallic structures, in the form of a copper mesh, to provide lightning strike protection and prevent static charge accumulation on the upper surface of carbon fiber composites because of the poor electrical conductivity,’ said Dr Thomas Pozegic, Research Associate in ACCIS and formerly a PhD student at the University of Surrey. ‘This adds weight and makes fabrication with carbon fiber composites difficult. The material that we have developed utilises high-quality carbon
TECHNOLOGY
Carbon nanotubes improve composite conductivity
Vertically grown carbon nanotubes on the carbon fibers (horizontal black lines) enhance the electrical (e-) and thermal (q) properties of the composite. Photo courtesy University of Bristol.
nanotubes grown at a high density to allow electrical transport throughout the composite material.’ ‘The research has shown that carbon nanotubes can significantly enhance the thermal conductivity of carbon fiber composites,’ added Dr Ian Hamerton, Reader in
Polymers and Composite Materials in ACCIS, commented. ‘This will have widereaching benefits in the aerospace industry, from enhancing de-icing solutions to minimising the formation of fuel vapours at cruising altitudes.’ University of Surrey; www.surrey.ac.uk
Gurit launches two new products for automotive Gurit has introduced two new products destined for the automotive market: Gurit Smartcure epoxy prepreg press molding system and Gurit Prime low pressure resin transfer molding (RTM) system. Gurit Smartcure has been specifically designed to meet the volume manufacturing needs of the automotive industry, because it can help speed up production processes while
ensuring constant part quality, the company says. The five-minute curing prepreg allows for automated lay-up, pre-forming at room temperature and rapid hot-in hot-out production methods at high service temperatures. The system is suitable for a range of structural and non-structural applications and has successfully been beta-tested by various car manufacturers and tier-1 suppliers.
Gurit Prime 180 is a two-component low pressure RTM system designed to achieve high temperature performance and good surface clarity for structural and aesthetic applications. The resin system’s low ambient viscosity and wide injection window allow for quicker fill times resulting in fast processing cycles and increased productivity. Gurit; www.gurit.com
Composite slitting and rewinding service Cristex Composite Materials has introduced a new slitting and rewinding service which can convert master rolls of glass and carbon fiber fabrics to narrow width tapes, which are typically used in areas of high stress where reinforcement is required. Master rolls of up to 1.7 m in width can be accommodated and the company offers
ISO9001 certification and full traceability and quality. ‘We can supply and process materials here at Cristex prior to shipment, saving our customers time and money,’ said Bruce Craig, director. ‘Similarly, we can assist customers if they already have the material, as our set up and cutting costs are fixed to offer a real cost saving option.’
Cristex also provides a technical textile cutting service, which uses the nesting software that makes economical use of materials. Kitting removes the problem of scrap and material off cuts from customers’ premises. Cristex Composite Materials; www.cristex.co. uk
81