JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #73 - June 2012 - 20

Sandwich structures: good prospects
While composite materials consumption is constantly growing, sandwich structures are increasingly used due to the weight reduction trend observed in many sectors. Here are few recent developments in terms of products and investments.

Rapidly-moulded sandwich components

Reducing the resin uptake of core materials by more than 50%

eight-saving options in automotive construction are far from exhausted: while metal still holds sway in automotive design, plastics are now offering cost-effective solutions in small- or medium-scale production, even for large-area parts such as exterior panelling, interior trim, and concealed bases/supports. The use of sandwich design also allows substantial weight savings of up to 60%. The high-performance Rohacell® foam from Evonik is distinguished in this application by its high strength coupled with low weight and

very high heat resistance. In cycle times of about two minutes, the foam core is thermally formed into the geometry required for the component, and is then quickly and very economically processed with, for example, high-performance resins at temperatures well above 130°C and at high pressure. In combination with fibrereinforced thermoplastic face sheets, Rohacell® also offers another extremely cost-effective method for the production of panels, with the finished part available in less than four minutes. The foam core is heated along with the thermoplastic face sheets and formed, and in the same operation the two are bonded together, cooled, and removed from the die. n
More information: www.evonik.com www.rohacell.com

A Composites Core Materials recently launched the new SealX technologies, dramatically reducing the resin uptake of the infused core materials. While this reduction is above 50% for the Airex® T90 and T92 cores, it is expected to be above 80% for the Baltek® SB and SBC balsa cores. Depending on sandwich design, resin uptake can constitute around 15% and up to 40% of the infused core materials’ total costs.

This substantial resin saving is not only highly welcomed with regard to costs, it also translates into a remarkable weight reduction. Contrary to common understanding, PETcored infused sandwiches can now become lighter than PVC or SAN solutions thanks to this new Airex® SealX technology, thus bringing lightweight design to a new level. n
More information: www.3acomposites.com

Gurit signs long-term balsa core supply agreement with Sino Composite for the Chinese market
Gurit and Sino Composite recently signed a long-term agreement to immediately initiate supplies of balsa core materials for the Chinese market. Established in 1992, Sino Composite Co. Ltd., Beijing, is a leading provider of composite materials and core material kits for the wind energy industry and other composite application markets in China. The new agreement provides Sino Composite with a strong and stable source of highquality balsa core material, supplied by Gurit’s successful Balseurop organization. Parallel to Gurit’s existing distributor network and direct customer contacts, the contract represents a great opportunity for Gurit to more rapidly penetrate the Chinese composite market through Sino Composite’s well-established customer base. n
More information: www.gurit.com

Sandwich components

20 jec composites magazine / No73 June 2012

http://www.3acomposites.com http://www.evonik.com http://www.rohacell.com http://www.gurit.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #73 - June 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #73 - June 2012