APPLICAT
V@
Composites investigated as friction materials for transport AN INVESTIGATION into the use of composites as friction materials within the transport industry is being conducted by the Materials Engineering Research
metal and ceramic matrix friction materials will be considered. MERL will produce an industry review describing the transport industry’s cur-
Laboratory Ltd (MERL), Hertfordshire, UK. It is part of a UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) programme covering the
rent measurement technology for the frictional properties of composites. The technological requirements of industry will be identi-
performance
fied and solutions
and design
composites. UK companies,
of
research
organizations and academic institutions are invited to become involved in the project, that primarily concerns the use of modern composite materials in brake and clutch applications in the automotive, aerospace and rail industries. The use of polymer,
to these
proposed, with particular emphasis on performance prediction and the development of test methods. As a wide range of companies
Durable flashlight finds space on Mir IN ORDER
to provide con-
pockets, and the plastic pre-
sumers with the world’s brightest personal flashlight and one that is guaranteed
viously used by LRI wore away from friction and use. According to LRI presi-
for life, the LRI Co, Oregon, USA, knew it would have to use the toughest materials it
dent David Allen, “Thermocamp is, without a shadow
could find, regardless of cost. The result is the Photon II Micro-Light@ which uses Thermocomp@, a glass fibre reinforced polyurethane from LNP Engineering Plastics, the
will benefit from the project, primary sponsership is
Netherlands. In addition to toughness and strength, LRI required a
supplied by the DTI. Nathan Crilly, MERL; tel: +44-1992-500120; fax: +44-1992-586439;
[email protected]
material with a high degree of abrasion resistance. Because of its small size the flashlight can fit on a key ring and is carried around in people’s
of a doubt, the toughest material we could find. It gives us lightweight strength needed for the flashlight housing. It is virtually indestructible”. Powered by a ten-year replaceable lithium battery, the flashlight is currently being used on the Mir space station as well as by members of the Secret Service. Lia Tabbers, LNP Engineering Plastics Europe SK tel: +31- I62-587600; fax: +31-162-587730.
MANUFACTURERS OF
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GROUP
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More Than A Manufacturer. .. . . . A Technical Partner! JNITED STATES
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LUXEMBOURG
CIRCLE 324 ON ADVERTISING
Reinforced Plastics July/August 1998
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ENGLAND
RESPONSE
CARD
Photon II Micro-Light as used on the Mir space station.