Plastic and their joining processes for different industrial uses
Fibrtec thermoplastic composite introduction
1. Thermoplastic Composite Materials
An Introduction
3785 Alt 19 N, Unit C
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
727-470-6103
Web: Fibrtec.com
Email: bob@fibrtec.com
2. New 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.
• Traditional materials such as aluminum require extensive machining
steps, are not easily adapted to imaginative style, and they lack
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
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.
• A new alternative to all these is continuous fiber thermoplastic
composite materials made by Fibrtec.
3. Continuous Fiber Thermoplastic
Composites
• The continuous fiber in a thermoplastic matrix such as nylon
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.
• 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.
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.
Styling and ergonomic designs are very compatible with the
process; your designers are free to be creative in their designs.
4. Low Cost Fabrication
• The continuous fiber thermoplastic composites are made through a
melt and compression molding process.
• Contrasting with conventional thermoset composites which rely on
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.
5. Thermoplastic Composite Advantages
Compared to Metals:
• High Strength/Stiffness; Toughness
• Reduced Weight
• Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE)
• Corrosion and Chemical Resistance
• 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
• Can be re-processed – reduced scrap
• Superior Toughness
6. Winning Solution
• Consistency, rapid processing, and style
• Combined with high strength, light weight,
and thermal conductivity
• Make this material the best choice for high
performance structural parts.
8. Thermoplastic Resins
Fibrtec offers a wide variety of matrix resins and fibers suitable for many
applications.
High Performance
Aerospace
Higher
Defense
Performance PI
High Temperature Industrial
PAI PEEK
Oil Field/Down Hole PES PPS
Medical PEI
Engineering PC PA
Sporting Goods PET
Automotive PPO PBT
General Industrial POM
PMMA/PC PU
Lawn & Garden PA12
Commodity SMA PP
Orthotic/Prosthetic PVC
Infrastructure
ABS HDPE
Packaging
PMMA LDPE
Amorphous Crystalline
