BaSF, SGL seek
carbon ���ber/polyamide
match for T-rTM, rIM
B
ASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany) and
the SGL Group (Wiesbaden, Germany) will jointly develop a composite
material based on a reactive polyamide
and carbon ���bers in pursuit of faster,
more cost-effective production of carbon
���ber-reinforced thermoplastics. The material system, intended for use in the relatively new thermoplastic resin transfer
molding (T-RTM) process and in reaction
injection molding (RIM) processes, is
expected to permit considerably shorter
processing cycles than are possible in
conventional thermoset RTM. The key
challenge for BASF and SGL is adjusting
the material system to these faster processing techniques. That research effort
is said to hold the key that will permit
entry of lightweight, high-strength carbon composite structural components
into automotive mass production.
���To achieve good wetting of the ���ber
and short cycle times in T-RTM or reactive injection molding, we start from
low-viscosity highly reactive caprolactam
formulations,��� explains Dr. Martin Jung,
head of structural materials research for
BASF Research. The research effort will
seek a means to attain optimal bonding at the matrix/���ber interface. The new
polyamide will require development of a
���custom-formulated sizing�����for the ���ber,
says Dr. Hubert J��ger, SGL���s head of technology and innovation, that will optimize
���ber-resin adhesion and, thus, the composite���s strength and stiffness.
COrrECTIOn
In the November 2012 issue of HPC,
a graph posted on p. 35 as part of our
Work in Progress feature titled ���Structural
health monitoring: Angling for the air,���
was incorrectly identi���ed. HPC editors
mistakenly named Advanced Fiber Materials Technologies Co. Ltd. as its source.
The article���s author, however, acquired the
graphic from the company pro���led in the
article ��� Luna Technologies (Roanoke,
Va.) ��� and informed HPC about its genesis since publication. Apologies to Luna
Technologies. HPC regrets the error.
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C o m p o s i t e s
january 2013
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