Please select a question:
What are Composites?
Why use Engineered Polymer Composites?
Is Composite Manufacturing a Modern Day Phenomenon?
How is a Composite Made?
What are Different Types of Reinforcements?
What are the Different Types of Resins?
What are the Different Types of Manufacturing Techniques for Glass Filled Composites?
Why use Thermosetplastics instead of Thermoplastics?
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What are Composites?
Composites are two or more separate (and separable) components that can be combined on a microscopic scale, in a controlled manner, to give optimum properties. The properties of the resulting material are superior to those of the constituents in isolation, and may be unique.
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Why use Engineered Polymer Composites?
Composites are an innovative replacement for conventional materials such as steel, aluminium and plastics for a wide range of applications.
Advantages:
Consistent in material quality
Uniform & consistent thickness
Pre-finished holes & features – NO rework line
Consistent painting quality
No waviness on outer surface
In-built ribs for strengthening
Moulded inserts and studs for assembly
Part integration & consolidation
Non-corrosive
Excellent thermal, electrical insulation properties
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Is Composite Manufacturing a Modern Day Phenomenon?
No! It is not a new idea! Humans have been using composite materials for thousands of years. For example:
Clay bricks - easy to break by bending- puts tension force on one edge makes a strong wall when all forces are compressive.
Straw - Has lots of tensile strength but is easily crumpled.
Combining Clay and straw provides a building block which has high compressive as well as tensile strength.
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How is a Composite Made?
One material (the matrix or binder) surrounds and binds together a cluster of fibres or fragments of a much stronger material (the reinforcement). The reinforced plastic composite consists of a fibrous reinforcing network embedded in the cured resin matrix. The thermosetting type resin is a plastic that cures from a liquid to a solid through a chemical reaction of its two components. Once this reaction occurs, the material can not be reformed.
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What are Different Types of Reinforcements?
Glass fibres
Carbon/Graphite Fibres
Ceramic
Kevlar Fibres
Various natural fibres like, sisal, bamboo
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What are the Different Types of Resins?
Epoxies (Low shrinkage higher cost normally used for tooling)
Polyester (General purpose applications)
Vinyl Esters (High heat or chemical resistant applications)
Gel Coats (Surface finish application)
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What are the Different Types of Manufacturing Techniques for Glass Filled Composites?
Hand Lay-up (Laminating )
Resin Transfer Moulding
Resin Infusion Moulding
Compression Forming
Compression Moulding – SMC & DMC
Pultrusion
Vacuum bag moulding
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Why use Thermosetplastics instead of Thermoplastics?
Dimensional accuracy and stability, combined with good property retention, over a broad range of temperatures
Design flexibility in moulding from thin to thick sections
Formulating latitude to meet specific requirements and cost parameters with good speed to market
Non-melting, flame retardant and low smoke density
Solvent resistant
Low material cost per cubic inch
Incorporation of reinforcement
Back to Top>>
Please select a question:
What are Composites?
Why use Engineered Polymer Composites?
Is Composite Manufacturing a Modern Day Phenomenon?
How is a Composite Made?
What are Different Types of Reinforcements?
What are the Different Types of Resins?
What are the Different Types of Manufacturing Techniques for Glass Filled Composites?
Why use Thermosetplastics instead of Thermoplastics?
Back to Top>>
What are Composites?
Composites are two or more separate (and separable) components that can be combined on a microscopic scale, in a controlled manner, to give optimum properties. The properties of the resulting material are superior to those of the constituents in isolation, and may be unique.
Back to Top>>
Why use Engineered Polymer Composites?
Composites are an innovative replacement for conventional materials such as steel, aluminium and plastics for a wide range of applications.
Advantages:
Consistent in material quality
Uniform & consistent thickness
Pre-finished holes & features – NO rework line
Consistent painting quality
No waviness on outer surface
In-built ribs for strengthening
Moulded inserts and studs for assembly
Part integration & consolidation
Non-corrosive
Excellent thermal, electrical insulation properties
Back to Top>>
Is Composite Manufacturing a Modern Day Phenomenon?
No! It is not a new idea! Humans have been using composite materials for thousands of years. For example:
Clay bricks - easy to break by bending- puts tension force on one edge makes a strong wall when all forces are compressive.
Straw - Has lots of tensile strength but is easily crumpled.
Combining Clay and straw provides a building block which has high compressive as well as tensile strength.
Back to Top>>
How is a Composite Made?
One material (the matrix or binder) surrounds and binds together a cluster of fibres or fragments of a much stronger material (the reinforcement). The reinforced plastic composite consists of a fibrous reinforcing network embedded in the cured resin matrix. The thermosetting type resin is a plastic that cures from a liquid to a solid through a chemical reaction of its two components. Once this reaction occurs, the material can not be reformed.
Back to Top>>
What are Different Types of Reinforcements?
Glass fibres
Carbon/Graphite Fibres
Ceramic
Kevlar Fibres
Various natural fibres like, sisal, bamboo
Back to Top>>
What are the Different Types of Resins?
Epoxies (Low shrinkage higher cost normally used for tooling)
Polyester (General purpose applications)
Vinyl Esters (High heat or chemical resistant applications)
Gel Coats (Surface finish application)
Back to Top>>
What are the Different Types of Manufacturing Techniques for Glass Filled Composites?
Hand Lay-up (Laminating )
Resin Transfer Moulding
Resin Infusion Moulding
Compression Forming
Compression Moulding – SMC & DMC
Pultrusion
Vacuum bag moulding
Back to Top>>
Why use Thermosetplastics instead of Thermoplastics?
Dimensional accuracy and stability, combined with good property retention, over a broad range of temperatures
Design flexibility in moulding from thin to thick sections
Formulating latitude to meet specific requirements and cost parameters with good speed to market
Non-melting, flame retardant and low smoke density
Solvent resistant
Low material cost per cubic inch
Incorporation of reinforcement
Back to Top>>