CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/866813
37 CompositesWorld.com See Zünd at CAMX Booth D16 and at IBEX Booth 1049 www.zund.com infous@zund.com T: 414 433 0700 Flexibility & productivity in composites, tech tex. CAMX 2017 Carbon and natural fibers for thermoplastic composites BASF Corp. (Wyandotte, MI, US) is featuring new carbon fibers for thermoplastics, short carbon fibers for lightweighting and natural fiber solutions for use in the automotive industry. A team of BASF experts in CAMX Booth U43 is emphasizing the advantages of thermoplastic solutions, including improved cycle time, recyclability and improved shelf life. Displays feature a sustainable, lightweight composite pallet from Lightning Technologies, the all-composite, lightweight load floor in Wabash National trailers, as well as 3D printing technology from Essentium Materials (College Station, TX, US) that highlights its partnership with BASF. Products on display demonstrate the challenge of accurately predicting part performance using a highly anisotropic material. BASF's Ultrasim provides a solution to enable users to model customer applications and accurately predict final part performance, including the influence of flow-induced anisotropy. Innovations for lightweighting using natural fiber composites, such as BASF's Acrodur binder, lends adhesive and strengthening properties to natural fibers, resulting in an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods. These composites are also used in furniture and industrial design products, with kenaf, bamboo and wood fibers. BASF's booth also features continuous fiber-reinforced tapes and fabric-reinforced laminates for aerospace applications. Booth U43. www.basf.us/composites | www.essentiummaterials.com Industrial oven technology C. A. Litzler Co. Inc. (Cleveland, OH, US) is emphasizing its work on the design and manufacture of continuous process equipment for structural composites, carbon fiber production and industrial textiles. Featured is the company's line of carbon fiber oxidation ovens with the patented G5 End-Seal. Litzler also is featuring hot-melt and solution prepreg systems and tape lines, ovens, unwind systems, metering rolls, compaction stations, winders, accumulators, and drive and control systems. In addition to conventional oxidation ovens, Litzler is introducing the world's first 175-ton plasma oxidation oven for OPF and carbon fiber production. It operates more than three times faster than current commercial technology and uses less energy per pound of fiber and the equipment has demonstrated improvement in fiber quality. Hot melt machines include 300-mm pilot machines, and production machines up to 1,525 mm wide. All machines include creels, spreader systems and precision compaction rolls. Solution treaters feature Opti- flow patented radiant ovens, unwind systems, metering rolls, winders and accumulators. Also now available is Computreater CF. Used to develop new precursors and fibers, to test and evaluate incoming PAN precursor quality and to develop more efficient production theories and alternate sizing chemistries, it is the laboratory model of Litzler's advanced high-production carbon fiber systems. Booth J55. www.calitzler.com