Durable spray-on surface

Chopped strand svstem aids productivity

Durable

A PATENTED

spray-on

d

reinforcement can

raise

glass

fibre

system

that

specifiers

and

tion,

productivity

(OEMs)

manufacturers appliance,

consistency

in ther-

and

computer

moplastic

moulding

applica-

well

as thermoplastic

is being

Owens

launched

by

Cratec strands

Plus@

chopped

fibres

that

are

compact

per

existing

25%

more

bundle

than

chopped

to results

the Owens

Corning

and Technology chopped

strands

increase

product

Cratec for

tages

over

chopped

improve

operat-

environments

reduction fuzz

and

with

a

of up to 80%

in

fines,

warehouse

and

space

store the product. Owens customers ing

says that

globally

products

are seekthat

help

and no stop-

during

1998.

An initial focus on customers polyamide,

eco-

ate

can

broadened

resin

the

and

durable

partic-

automotive

include

industry

fuel

pumps

and

tem

components

and polycarbonwill

out to other

new-style

produced

sysas

be

poly-

mers later in the year.

chopped

Corning

and

Carolina,

Granicoat

in Battice,

granite

ing its Fortafil

ulus

of

product

carbon

to the

fibre

European

a

market. Fortafil

Inc has been cost

providing

carbon

fibres

decades,

mainly

America

and

Asia.

Now

mechanical

with

Europe, ing

latterly

low

at a time when capable

1300

East

tonnes

propin new

of produca year,

is

soon to come on stream. Fortafil in two

fibres are available

forms.

Reinforced

Continuous

Plastics June 1998

GPa

are offered

for

mm

applications. to lengths or milled

lengths

use

posite

com-

parts. continuous

have

been

successfully

applied

in industrial

and shaftsaiitrtr~~s~~~~~ pressure

into

are available

in moulded

Fortafil fibres

winding

chopped

shorter

and of

filament

Fibres

mod-

strength

and pultrusion

for of

price

MPa

prepreg

of 3-50

in North

combination

reasonable

capacity,

low-

for three

it is introducing

the Fortafil erties

Fibres

227

tensile

3800

Subsidiary

a standard

chipboard,

vessels,

motor

cases,

frames,

sporting

many

block,

ceramic

and

able

in 40 standard

ufacturers moplastic pounds

it can also be pur-

and

12 more

of structural

rocket

automotive goods

and

shopped/ are

used

by

to produce

ther-

moulding

com-

a wide

range

and electrically properties.

lines.

in either

matt or gloss finish. Granicoat

Its in

colours

‘Accent’

It can be applied

acids

and resin man-

having

conductive

constitutes finish

and

alkalis

and

easily

be

material colour

to

solvents.

is tough

retardant.

scuffs

is

resistant and

surface

fire

a

which

and

Scratches,

burn

marks

can

removed. is also

The

said

consistent

to be

and

UV

stabilized Nord

Composites,

supplies

a range

which

of bond-

ing pastes,

gel-coats,

fied resins

and fibres

modi-

French

of industrial

Granicoat

in

Belgium,

Germany,

Netherlands

and Switzerland.

chemical,

applications electronic,

and other

in auto-

industries.

Ernst Braches, Fortafil Carbon Fibres; tel: +49-202323345; fax: +49-202322335.

try,

composites

to the

Reinforced mouldings are used in a wide diversity

motive rotlteiz

fibres

availcolour

in 12 solid

low-cost

compounders

lami-

blends,

industries.

milled

porcelain,

plastic

chased

components

The

mason-

Anderson,

William K. Hamilton, Owens Corning; tel: t 1-419248-6190; fzx: t 1-419-2486227.

structural

appearas diverse

USA.

Economical carbon fibres for Europe with

panels

caravans,

ance to substrates

seamless

fibres

with

is said to add

an attractive

permanent

AKZO NOBEL is introduc-

bar and

nates. As well as being

Owens

facilities

as tables,

for

ry, cinder

being

in

for

boats and leisure vehicles.

such

are currently

South

terephtha-

systems

The strands

a

finish

surfaces

fittings

as wood,

Belgium,

polypropy-

such

is

provide

together

and

caps, safety

to

vanity

baths,

for-

resin,

surface

products tops,

in

distributor

in

Composites,

(US patented)

designed

in the transportation sectors.

exhibition

polyester

Granicoat

humidity

applications

JEC

by Nord

per-

airbags.

lene, polybutylene

equipment

dou-

of

manufacturing original

as a

yields

at the April

applied

Based on a specially

plastic

Initial

material

was introduced

mulated

in applications high

surfacing

can be spray

France.

product

and electrical

product

will

improve benefit

customer the

introduction

late (PBT)

The

improved

ularly

now in progress,

and

Plus

in

as

perfor-

heat are experienced,

an

Systems

reduced,

productivity Cratec

applications.

and

in flame-retardant

leader

new business

increase nomics.

of

fines and scrap signifi-

using

as superior

A SOLID or moulded

ageing’,

where

be completed

Corning

impact heat

says Steve

“One

Cratec,

instrumental

surface which

improved

basis,”

A phased

to

‘30%

to 25%

mance

pages in feeding.”

reduce

required

offer

to hydroly-

formance

using

cantly

up

well

HR

offers

of seeing

bled,

strands resistance

cus-

1Al

on

product

result

chopped

to

benefits

PBT

PBT

strands

has gained

are that the

process.

Composites

already

conventional

strands

new strands ing

advan-

European

enhanced

dedicated

already

customer

individual the

team

Plus chopped

each

product

has been developed

tomers.

sis,

customers

the

business.

claimed

Corning

are

Zirkel,

flow by up to 50%. Other

is supported

assist

maximizing

the

can

will “We

from

Centre,

com-

with the conversion

Science

compact help

that

strands.

According

system

by an Owens

glass

as

better

The

are pelletized

with

markets

pounders.

Corning.

One available

connectors

promote tions

and

in the transporta-

is sole

indus-

distributor

for

France, the

Gerard Lavens, Nord Composites; tel: +33-3-22315757; fax: +33-3-2231869%