Thermoplastic Composite Materials

An IntroductionAn Introduction

3785 Alt 19 N, Unit C3785 Alt 19 N, Unit C

Palm Harbor, FL 34683

727-470-6103

Web: Fibrtec.com

Email: bob@fibrtec.com

New Solution To An Old ProblemNew Solution To An Old Problem

• Many materials and processes have been such as thermoset matrix composites, each requiring compromise in one or more key characteristics. composites, each requiring compromise in one or more key characteristics.

• Traditional materials such as aluminum require extensive machining steps, are not easily adapted to imaginative style, and they lack damage tolerance. damage tolerance.

• Steel is generally relegated to rectilinear design and is very heavy.

• Magnesium alloys require expensive tooling, considerable post processing, lack damage tolerance, and are expensive.

• Injection molding processes offer lightweight fabrications with • Injection molding processes offer lightweight fabrications with considerable style in smaller components. Injection molded parts are generally less damage tolerant, do not have good thermal properties, and require expensive tooling. They are very competitive in high volume small parts. properties, and require expensive tooling. They are very competitive in high volume small parts.

• A new alternative to all these is continuous fiber thermoplastic composite materials made by Fibrtec.

Continuous Fiber Thermoplastic

CompositesComposites• The continuous fiber in a thermoplastic matrix such as nylon combines to make an extremely stiff, damage tolerant, lightweight combines to make an extremely stiff, damage tolerant, lightweight structural composite.

• A comparable part in machined aluminum would weigh 40% more. This is a strong advantage for the composite. This is a strong advantage for the composite.

• In addition to the high strength to weight ratio they also have very good thermal conductivity and have extremely low coefficients of thermal expansion. This simplifies tolerance issues for devices such as optical benches that would be affected by movement of a cover. as optical benches that would be affected by movement of a cover. It also simplifies many thermal management problems.

• EMI/EMC shielding is incorporated in the composite and provide superior performance that does not erode or flake off with time. superior performance that does not erode or flake off with time. Styling and ergonomic designs are very compatible with the process; your designers are free to be creative in their designs.

Low Cost FabricationLow Cost Fabrication

• The continuous fiber thermoplastic composites are made through a melt and compression molding process. melt and compression molding process.

• Contrasting with conventional thermoset composites which rely on solvent based chemistry and complicated cure schedules. solvent based chemistry and complicated cure schedules.

• Many of these materials can be molded in low cost aluminum molds, higher temperature materials require steel.

• The process is very fast for a composite, under 5 minutes a part for many of the parts contemplated for this application.

Thermoplastic Composite AdvantagesThermoplastic Composite AdvantagesCompared to Metals:

• High Strength/Stiffness; Toughness• High Strength/Stiffness; Toughness• Reduced Weight• Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE)• Corrosion and Chemical Resistance• Increased Part Function via Parts Consolidation• Increased Part Function via Parts Consolidation• Reduced Secondary Operations• Styling Freedom/Contoured Shapes

Compared to Thermoset Composites:

• No Need For Controlled Storage/Unlimited Shelf Life• Significantly Faster Cycle Times (lower mfg. cost)• Environmentally Sound and Recyclable• Environmentally Sound and Recyclable• Can be re-processed – reduced scrap• Superior Toughness

Winning SolutionWinning Solution

• Consistency, rapid processing, and style • Consistency, rapid processing, and style

• Combined with high strength, light weight,

and thermal conductivity and thermal conductivity

• Make this material the best choice for high

performance structural parts.performance structural parts.

Product PhotosProduct Photos

Fiberglass & Carbon Fiber Tows Carbon Fabric & Braided Sleeve

Thermoplastic Resins

Fibrtec offers a wide variety of matrix resins and fibers suitable for many

applications.

High Performance

Higher

Performance

High Performance

� Aerospace

� Defense

� High Temperature Industrial

� Oil Field/Down Hole

� Medical

PIPAIPES PPS

PEEK

PEI� Medical

Engineering

� Sporting Goods

� Automotive

� General Industrial

PAPET

POM

PBT

PC

PPO

PEI

� General Industrial

� Lawn & Garden

Commodity

� Orthotic/Prosthetic

� Infrastructure

POM

SMA

PVC

PMMA/PC

PP

PA12PU

� Infrastructure

� PackagingPMMA

ABS HDPE

LDPE

Amorphous Crystalline

Thermal Performance

PP and N6 Properties

PP and N6 Properties

PPS, PEI, and PEEK Properties