CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/532917
CompositesWorld.com 21 NEWS N E W S N S N E W S E N W S W CW senior editor Ginger Gardiner has an engineering/mate- rials background and has more than 20 years of experience in the composites industry. ginger@compositesworld.com molding." Kneath concedes there is a tooling cost, but says the payback is usually pretty quick. "Most aerospace companies will say they don't have the volumes for injection molding, but we've been injection molding aerospace parts for 40 years, and know how to design tooling that balances cash and performance requirements." Expanding PEEK's range "We're getting a resounding response from airframers and others in the market," claims Herr. "Tis technology gives engineers the fexibility they want to design a very robust yet lightweight, load- carrying part." He explains this is one reason why Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC, Shanghai) is fully engaged and PAEK A250 PEEK 150P Melting point (°C) 305 343 Glass transition temperature (°C) 147* 143* Tensile strength (MPa) 90 100 Tensile modulus (GPa) 3.5 3.7 Tensile elongation (%) 15 15 Izod impact strength (kJ/m 2 ) 5.0 4.5 * onset Table 1 Victrex PAEK A250 vs. PEEK 150 Source | Victrex Injection Overmolding of PEEK actively looking at where PEEK can replace heavy, costly metals (see "Learn More"). "Tis is an enabling technology, ofering so many opportunities beyond brackets," says Kneath, adding that, given PEEK's mechan- ical and elevated-temperature performance and chemical/ corrosion resistance, there are few areas where it's not a suitable solution. "We could be talking more complex housings or diferent types of panels with very thin, overmolded fber-reinforced ribs." Tri-Mack also sees opportunities in the process for imparting multi-functionality. "We have evaluated technologies that would add lightning strike protection (LSP) paths or EMI shielding. Tis is typically done with secondary coatings or by adding a metallic layer to the layup," Kneath says, but Tri-Mack is now exploring how to do this via the compounds used in the hybrid processing. "We see real opportunity to signifcantly expand PEEK appli- cations in aerospace," says Herr. And, says Kneath, "We are also exploring applications for other industries as a next step." CYTEC DFORM ® FABRIC TOOLING PREPREG SAVE 75% LAY-UP AND DEBULKING TIME Beneft from: • 4 times greater output • Lower tool production costs • Advanced material conformability • Outstanding surface fnish First tile layer Second tile layer First tile layer after debulk Cured Tool Master tool before layup DForm® Fabric Tooling Prepreg, Shaping the Future of Composite Tooling. Visit www.cytec.com/DForm or email DForm@cytec.com to enquire 15 mins 15 mins 20 mins