FAQs

What are Composites?
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
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.
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.

What are Different Types of Reinforcements?
  • Glass fibres
  • Carbon/Graphite Fibres
  • Ceramic
  • Kevlar Fibres
  • Various natural fibres like, sisal, bamboo
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)
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
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 reinforcemen