JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - 2020 1st Quarter - Innovation report - 11

Multi-sector

RECENT ADVANCES IN LATTICE AND
LATTICE CONDUCTIVE CONTINUOUS
FIBRE PREFORMS FOR LIQUID
THERMOSET RESIN PROCESSES

Automotive OEMs continue to seek the integration of
parts and functions within the vehicle to add value for
their customers by decreasing cost and adding functionality.
Current automotive composite solutions focus on maximizing
weight savings while minimizing cost and typically do not
focus on functionality. Unfortunately, metallic competitors are
focused on the same strategies, ending up in a never-ending
competitive trap. We have fallen prey to a singular focus -
saving weight at minimum cost. Adding value by adding functionality will allow composites to differentiate themselves from
their metallic competitors. Coats has developed an additive
manufacturing process to produce dry fibre preforms directly
from roving/tow that eliminates the weaving, cutting, stacking,
and waste associated with existing technologies. The dry fibre
preforms can be moulded using HP-RTM and LCM thermoset
resin processes. Additionally, in the same additive manufacturing process, conductive elements can be simultaneously
incorporated. The result is a very cost-effective weight-saving
solution that allows the OEM to potentially eliminate wire
harnesses or incorporate autonomous vehicle sensors directly
into the composite.
www.coats.com

Multi-sector

Metyx Group presents its expanded range of EN 45545-rated
fire, smoke and toxicity (FST) RTM reinforcements for lighter and
stronger FRP laminate solutions for the rail sector.
In addition to Metycore FS and Metycoremax FS RTM glass
fabrics, the FST-rated technical fabrics now available also include
Metyx carbon fibre biaxial fabrics
in a carbon-PET foam sandwich
system. All three technical fabric
solutions, which are suitable for
the infusion of fire-rated FRP parts,
have been tested and approved as
part of complete fire-retardant (FR)
Weight savings of more than 30% can be achieved in liquid resin and gelcoated FRP
an FRP sandwich laminate system as Metyx Tycor®
laminate systems that meet the rail
has much less core foam volume and there is far
less resin take-up during infusion compared with a industry's EN 45 545 fire standard
balsa core, yet still provides the desired mechanical
for composites used in rolling stock.
properties.
Metyx USA also presents successful high-performance applications
where using Metyx Tycor® fibre-reinforced core sheet material has
reduced overall weight without losing any structural integrity. North
American composites customers in the wind, marine, automotive,
infrastructure and industrial markets looking to maximize weight and
cost savings are realizing the benefits of using Tycor.
Tycor is a dry fibre-wrapped PIR foam core that achieves its final end
use properties though the vacuum infusion process, such as VARTM
and RTM. These fibre-reinforced cores provide design engineers and
convertors with an alternative reinforcement material to balsa and
conventional PVC foam cores. www.metyx.com

JOHNS MANVILLE: NEW NYLON
THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE SHEET
SERIES

Johns Manville's new platform of nylon thermoplastic composite
sheets using the innovative in-situ polymerization technology is
expanding. In addition to the existing OS-6 series, the new CR-6
and NCF-6-series increase design flexibility by providing product
designers a collection of materials to
realize light-weighting that will expand
the use of composites in automotive
and other light-weighting markets. JM's
thermoplastic composite sheets combine
exceptional properties, short cycle times,
and recyclability at a cost that will drive
increased adoption of composites.
The OS-6 series is an AP nylon composite
sheet reinforced with continuous woven
fabric and impregnated using the
company's proprietary technology with
complete fibre impregnation to enhance
impact resistance, strength, and stiffness in thermoplastic composites.
The new CR-6 series combines formability with excellent impact resistance
through a chopped roving (CR) reinforcement. This innovative product
enables a range of high-formability applications for thermoplastic sheets
with quasi-isotropic properties.
The new NCF-6 series is reinforced with high-density continuous noncrimp fabric not conventionally possible with organosheets. This leadingedge product will offer superior strength, stiffness and impact resistance in
structural applications. www.jm.com

Marine

METYX PRESENTS
TECHNICAL FABRIC FRP SOLUTIONS

INNOVATION REPORT

Multi-sector

INNOVATION REPORT

HEXCEL'S NEW MARINE PRODUCTS
ENABLE SHORT CYCLE TIMES

Hexcel presents the new HexBond 679 low-temperature film
adhesive and new HexPly UD carbon tapes with air venting
Grid Technology, both specifically tailored to offer cycle
time reductions within the marine industry. HexBond 679 is a
250gsm epoxy adhesive film formulated to be fully compatible with
the HexPly M79 prepreg range. Fully cured in only four hours at 80°C,
this adhesive film system offers huge cycle time reductions, provides
strong lap shear & peel strength performance and delivers outstanding
mechanical properties in foam and honeycomb sandwich structures.
When combined with Hexcel's innovative air venting Grid Technology,
HexPly M79 UD carbon tapes can be laminated with reduced debulking steps to produce void contents below 1% irrespective of laminate
thickness. The company demonstrates the exceptional surface finish
provided by the HexPly XF2 surfacing prepreg in Sunseeker's superstructure component. Highly drapeable with a tacky surface to adhere
to the mould tool for an efficient lay-up process, HexPly XF2 provides
a high-quality pin-hole-free finish straight from the mould, reducing
finishing and paint preparation time significantly. The component on
display also features carbon fibre HexPly SuperFIT prepregs providing
structural strength below the XF2 surface layer. Hexcel recommends
the use of HexPly M79 SuperFIT prepregs, which allow rapid cure
cycles at low temperatures and are easy to process in conjunction with
conventional HexPly M79 prepregs. www.hexcel.com

January-February-March 2020 /

jec composites magazine

http://www.jm.com http://www.metyx.com http://www.coats.com http://www.hexcel.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - 2020 1st Quarter - Innovation report

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