CompositesWorld

MAR 2017

CompositesWorld

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NEWS 33 CompositesWorld.com Class A Body Panels increasing his company's access to a range of new fibers and thermoplastics. Indeed, fast-cure resins and the HP-RTM process were developed specifically to deliver low-cycle-time composite auto parts, making them more competitive with metals. Although originally developed with polyurethane and epoxy, HP-RTM using thermoplastic resins is now an option, as are hybrid processes that combine thermoforming and overmolding — injection molding thermoplastic on top of the molded composite substrate (see Learn More). Another trend is a move by traditional neat plastics molders into structural composites. A case in point is Plastic Omnium (Île-de-France, France), the world leader in plastic auto exte- riors. It turned out 27 million bumpers, 5 million front-end modules, 1.2 million tailgates, 1.5 million fenders and 1 million spoilers in 2015 — and made 3 million composite structural parts, touting abilities in thermoplastics and thermo- sets as well as development of carbon fiber and smart materials. Introduced in 2013, its hybrid thermoplastic/composite Higate tailgate inte- grates a Class A long glass fiber-reinforced poly- propylene (LGF PP) outer with SMC inner. Used on Peugot, Range Rover, Jaguar and Citroën models, Higate also is the company's first composite tailgate in China for the Roewe E50 electric vehicle. is ability to mold parts across a spectrum of materials and processes is also being embraced by new entrants into automotive composites. In 2015, Tier 1 auto exhaust/emissions control specialist Katcon (Santa Catarina, Nuevo León, Mexico) launched Katcon Advanced Materials (KAM) at its headquarters near Monterrey. Offering composites design and manufacturing for lightweighting vehicles in a new FIG. 3 Smart composites: Integrated and interactive Plastic Omnium is already investing in smart composite materials for more integrated functions and production of complex, interactive, fully assembled modules. Source | Plastic Omnium Trusted for Material Dispensing Systems Metering, Mixing & Dispense Equipment Solutions for Composite and Aerospace Processes Nordson Sealant Equipment has been supporting the aerospace, aircraft, helicopter and tier-1 assembly industry build quality products for over 25 years. sealantequipment.com/composites | +1.734.459.8600

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