Building blocks from Huntsman Advanced Materials meet criteria for manufacturing ultra-thin prepreg tapes

Huntsman Advanced Materials has been supporting Swiss pre-impregnated materials specialist North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT) to produce ultra-thin prepreg components on a Richard Mille luxury watch case.

Founded in 2009, NTPT designs and manufactures ultra-thin prepregs for high performance composites applications. From its main facility in Switzerland, the company’s 25-strong team focuses on the research and development of prototypes and small series production.

Special techniques for ultra-thin prepregs

The business offers unique spread tow and associated prepregging techniques to manufacture uni-directional prepreg tapes processed with thermoset resins, which can be as thin as a third of a human hair in diameter. To facilitate their handling, the company has also developed an automated tape laying system. NTPT’s technology package is completed with simulation software which enables efficient parts designs, taking advantage of the uniqueness of ThinPregs®.

Based on its track record and expertise in formulating specialty components for impregnation systems and its

understanding of the specific requirements of ultra-thin prepreg processing, NTPT decided to work with Huntsman on the watch case project.

From components to high value prepreg composites

The watch cases are made from thick blocks of 400 thin ply of ThinPreg® carbon fibre uni-directional tape, pre-impregnated with an epoxy resin matrix system based on building blocks (resin, toughener and hardener) selected with Huntsman’s support. Because of the ultra-thin interply thickness, the autoclave cured block can be considered as a one phase material which is machinable (drillable, millable) in the same way as metal.

North Thin Ply Technology selects Huntsman Advanced Materials prepreg system for Richard Mille luxury watch project

APPLICATION Building blocks (resin, toughener and hardener) used to produce ultra-thin prepreg luxury watch cases

SPECIAL SERVICE CONDITIONS > Building blocks that complement

the reinforcement material and help optimise manufacturing processes

> Cured uni-directional tapes facilitating outstanding machinability behaviour

ADVANTAGES FOR CUSTOMER > Efficient pre-impregnation of

uni-directional tape> Excellent filament bearing

properties> Resistance to delamination and

crack propagation> Production of a high quality,

lightweight prepreg part

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES > A wide offering of specialty

building blocks

MATERIAL USED Epoxy resin matrix system based on building blocks (resin, toughener and hardener)

CUSTOMER LOCATION Switzerland

www.huntsman.com/advanced_materials

Combining accuracy and performance

NTPT selected the Huntsman combination of building blocks for this particular application specifically for their ability to meet the necessary criteria required for manufacturing ultra-thin prepreg tapes, as well as their filament bearing properties and the resulting resistance to delamination and crack propagation, which provides the cured uni-directional tapes with outstanding machinability behaviour.

Gilles Rocher, Sales & Marketing Manager, NTPT, said:

“Both the reinforcement material and matrix system play an equally important role in achieving the right balance of desired properties.

A formula for success

Matching process to performance was key to the success of this project. Thanks to the excellent product recommendations and ongoing technical support received from Huntsman, we have been able to achieve our goals in applying prepregs to deliver the highest level of quality within an extremely durable and lightweight watch case that is built to last.”

Today, prepreg composites have become the benchmark across many sectors of the composites industry, applied for their ease of use, consistent properties, high quality surface finish and the wide choice of types that are now available.

More and more markets including the wind energy, automotive and general transport sectors are adopting prepreg composites to integrate greater efficiencies at every level during manufacturing whilst also focusing on fulfilling higher strength to weight requirements.

Huntsman’s wide offering of specialty building blocks and specially formulated resin matrix systems, and its involvement in industry-leading projects such as the Richard Mille watch case, shows how the company is bringing the value of discovery to success in commercial propositions and facilitating the continued growth of the market for prepreg composites.

North Thin Ply Technology selects Huntsman Advanced Materials prepreg system for Richard Mille luxury watch project

Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company’s operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in the Huntsman companies’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the company’s expectations will be realised. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forwardlooking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

© Huntsman Advanced Materials (Switzerland) GmbH 2004. ® Araldite is a registered trademark of Huntsman Corporation or an affiliate thereof in one or more, but not all, countries.

www.huntsman.com/advanced_materials

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NTPT’s automated tape laying system