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Supercomposite is a clever core
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Supercomposite A HIGH performance resilient material called Supercomposite can be used as a core material to provide cost savings, higher strengths, weight savings and good insulation, says EIA Projects, of Wolverhampton, UK. It is composed of a ‘tied core’ system that acts like a resilient lattice beam structure, allowing very high static and dynamic loadings. However, it is lightweight (usually around 0.5 kg/m*) and enables less surface
is a clever core
materials to be used without interlaminar shear problems. As well as providing good thermal and noise insulation benefits, the twin-wall structure is said to be ideal for fire resistance and retardancy. The material is also said to have ‘smart’ features because it acts as a semi-intelligent matrix. It will respond to different load forces (such as impact stress) by using available structural modes.
Supercomposite Core is available in sheet form to any thickness, size or material specification. The system is unique, says EIA Projects, and has been tested at the University of Lisbon IST, and validated by Loughborough University of Technology IPTME, SDRC.UK, and MCS international. EIA Projects is the sole worldwide agent for the exclusively licensed manufacturers Projectos Lazer International Lda, of Portugal. Standard core spe-
cifications are available for building structures, enclosures and other products. User licenses, also obtained from EIA Projects, must be obtained research for and development projects, manufacturing and/ or supply. In exceptional cases, a manufacturing license will be granted to a user licensee (for example, where specialized cores are required).
Iain Bridge, EIA Pm jects; tel/fax: + 44-9028462 74.
Nickel coating opens up new opportunities COATING carbon fibres with nickel confers excellent conducting properties that can be exploited in a wide range of industries. The new coating facility form part of Into Europe Ltd’s nickel refinery in Clydach, South Wales. Here, extremely fine carbon fibres can be individually and uniformly plated. The nickel coating facility, which has been built to bring advanced technology products to worldwide markets, represents a major advance in coating technology, says Into. A refinery intermediate gaseous vapour is decomposed to evenly coat the fibres. The nickel-coated carbon fibre, known as VaporFab, can be incorporated into a product just as any normal fibre would be used, through weaving, winding, chopping, blending and moulding. The main
application for these fibres are in plastic housings of electric products that require effective shielding. This can only be achieved by the use of
a conductive material. Nickel is an effectiveshield because it is a good conductor of electricity and possesses good corrosion resistance.
Spools of Inca VaporFab nickel-coated fibre with samples of chopped coated fibre in the foreground.
for fibres
Applications for the nickel-coated carbon fibres therefore exploit the electroconductive nature of the nickel. In particular, there is a major market for shielding against electromagnetic (EM) and radio frequency interference. When compounded into plastic the coated fibre will give excellent protection against EM radiation to computer, electronic or communications equipment. The combination of strength, light weight and attractive appearance of nickel-coated carbon fibres has also been used in the leisure industry, in the shafts of golf clubs, fishing rods and tennis rackets. Other applications for the fibres are expected to emerge as more research is performed, says Into.
R.J. Kendrick, Into SPP; tel: + 44- I71-9321503; fax: + 44-171931- 7799.
Reinforced Plastics February 1995
Supercomposite A HIGH performance resilient material called Supercomposite can be used as a core material to provide cost savings, higher strengths, weight savings and good insulation, says EIA Projects, of Wolverhampton, UK. It is composed of a ‘tied core’ system that acts like a resilient lattice beam structure, allowing very high static and dynamic loadings. However, it is lightweight (usually around 0.5 kg/m*) and enables less surface
is a clever core
materials to be used without interlaminar shear problems. As well as providing good thermal and noise insulation benefits, the twin-wall structure is said to be ideal for fire resistance and retardancy. The material is also said to have ‘smart’ features because it acts as a semi-intelligent matrix. It will respond to different load forces (such as impact stress) by using available structural modes.
Supercomposite Core is available in sheet form to any thickness, size or material specification. The system is unique, says EIA Projects, and has been tested at the University of Lisbon IST, and validated by Loughborough University of Technology IPTME, SDRC.UK, and MCS international. EIA Projects is the sole worldwide agent for the exclusively licensed manufacturers Projectos Lazer International Lda, of Portugal. Standard core spe-
cifications are available for building structures, enclosures and other products. User licenses, also obtained from EIA Projects, must be obtained research for and development projects, manufacturing and/ or supply. In exceptional cases, a manufacturing license will be granted to a user licensee (for example, where specialized cores are required).
Iain Bridge, EIA Pm jects; tel/fax: + 44-9028462 74.
Nickel coating opens up new opportunities COATING carbon fibres with nickel confers excellent conducting properties that can be exploited in a wide range of industries. The new coating facility form part of Into Europe Ltd’s nickel refinery in Clydach, South Wales. Here, extremely fine carbon fibres can be individually and uniformly plated. The nickel coating facility, which has been built to bring advanced technology products to worldwide markets, represents a major advance in coating technology, says Into. A refinery intermediate gaseous vapour is decomposed to evenly coat the fibres. The nickel-coated carbon fibre, known as VaporFab, can be incorporated into a product just as any normal fibre would be used, through weaving, winding, chopping, blending and moulding. The main
application for these fibres are in plastic housings of electric products that require effective shielding. This can only be achieved by the use of
a conductive material. Nickel is an effectiveshield because it is a good conductor of electricity and possesses good corrosion resistance.
Spools of Inca VaporFab nickel-coated fibre with samples of chopped coated fibre in the foreground.
for fibres
Applications for the nickel-coated carbon fibres therefore exploit the electroconductive nature of the nickel. In particular, there is a major market for shielding against electromagnetic (EM) and radio frequency interference. When compounded into plastic the coated fibre will give excellent protection against EM radiation to computer, electronic or communications equipment. The combination of strength, light weight and attractive appearance of nickel-coated carbon fibres has also been used in the leisure industry, in the shafts of golf clubs, fishing rods and tennis rackets. Other applications for the fibres are expected to emerge as more research is performed, says Into.
R.J. Kendrick, Into SPP; tel: + 44- I71-9321503; fax: + 44-171931- 7799.
Reinforced Plastics February 1995