CompositesWorld
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JANUARY 2015 58 CompositesWorld At the inaugural Composites & Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX), exhibitors on the show foor ofered a wide array of new technologies. The following are items not previously covered in the December 2014 issue of CW's predecessor Composites Technology (December 2014). CAMX 2014 Product Showcase » PREPREGS Polyurethane prepregs Evonik Corp. (Parsippany, NJ, US) discussed with CAMX 2014 visitors its latest product, Vestanat PP, a polyurethane matrix system based on aliphatic diisocyanates for PU prepregs. The latent resin system is mixed and combined with the fabric reinforcement to form the prepreg, but doesn't react until processing temperature is reached. At that point, the isocyanates become reactive. Notably, the product is said to be stable at room temperature and requires no refrigeration. Further, its cure profle is reportedly tailorable to any process. Sub-2- minute cycle times are possible in compression molding processes, says the company. http://crosslinkers.evonik.com/product/crosslinkers/en/products- services/vestanat/pages/VESTANAT-PP.aspx » MANUFACTURING Polyurethane versatility At CAMX, Bayer MaterialScience (Pittsburgh, PA, US) featured its usual full slate of products fabricated with Bayer's latest polyurethanes. Most notable were: • A 3m section of a utility pole manufactured via flament winding process by RS Technologies (Calgary, AB, Canada). Polyurethane allows for a strong product that is much lighter than steel, making the utility poles easier to transport and erect. • Romeo RIM (Romeo, MI, US) produced a 2.9m by 1.8m concept agricultural machine panel. Production parts also can be robotically inmold painted to customer specifcations. • Shipping pallets manufactured via pultrusion by RM2 (Luxembourg) are designed to replace wood with polyurethane. The polyurethane pallets are strong, durable, paintable and resistant to rot. www.bmsnafta.com » TESTING & MEASUREMENT Integrated fber data system Dia-Stron (Broomall, PA, US) introduced at CAMX an integrated measurement system for single fbers and flaments. The technology uses a combined laser difraction and high-resolution extensometer measurement system (LDS/LEX) that reportedly combines measurement integration, precision and automation. It incorporates a high- resolution laser difraction system with the linear extensometer force measurement unit, permitting the operator to collect dimensional and mechanical data in a single operation. The integrated measurement system is then combined with Dia-Stron's automated sample- loading module, which transports the samples from the loading cassettes to the measurement module. Dia-Stron also produces modules for fber bending, fatigue and torsion. www.diastron.com » FIBER REINFORCEMENT Multiaxial noncrimp fabric SAERTEX USA LLC (Huntervsville, NC, US) announced at CAMX that it has entered the multiaxial noncrimp fabric (NCF) market with the addition of 3D fabrics. SAERTEX 3D fabrics feature NCF in the 0° and 90° (x and y) orien- tation, as well as additional reinforcing fbers through the thickness — z fbers. These z fbers protect against separation, help speed infusion by promoting better resin fow characteristics and provide improved tensile and compressive strength. The fabrics are available in thicknesses from 1.5 mm to 3 mm and are delivered on rolls. SAERTEX 3D billets are thicker, ranging from 3 mm to 50 mm, with the same fber architecture and can be delivered as fat parts. www.saertex.com See additional CAMX show coverage at http://short.compositesworld.com/CAMX14Rpt NEW PRODUCTS