Fiber-reinforced composites are increasingly important. This is not surprising. More and more industries are increasingly demanding high-strength and lightweight materials. The number of applications for new composites has increased correspondingly and can replace traditional materials such as metal or wood. New features also increase the range of applications.
Covestro has been committed to the development of composite materials for many years. Whether it is small electronic products, thermal insulation, wind power plants, energy and resource-efficient composite materials, and efficient manufacturing technologies are all sustainable development of Covestro. The core component of the idea.
At the International Composites Exhibition held in Paris from March 6th to 8th, 2018, the company will display its light and beautiful materials and efficient production process in Hall 5, Stand C28.
New high-tech materials
Covestro developed a new composite technology for the efficient production of particularly thin, hard, and aesthetically pleasing parts. It utilizes a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite (CFRTP) made of polycarbonate. Covestro The production of tapes and sheets for further processing for customers has now significantly expanded its production capacity at Markt Bibart to supply products worldwide.
Especially in the electronics industry, the trend is an ultra-thin case for laptops and smartphones. The laptop lid can be produced from CFRTP plates, which shortens the production cycle and saves a lot of costs. It is about 15% lighter than magnesium alloys. , And the external structure is beautiful.
Wind turbine blades are nearly 60 meters long
Renewable energy such as wind power continues to grow. More intensive use requires wind turbines to be more cost effective.
Covestro developed a special polyurethane impregnating resin for rotor blades. Combined with reinforced glass fiber and efficient vacuum manufacturing process, the cycle time can be shortened, thus reducing costs. China-developed resin has been certified by DNV-GL – this is entering China Preconditions for the wind power industry.
In China, a new prototype of a rotor blade with a blade length of 59.5 meters has been produced. Covestro expects to produce more blades, even longer blade length, in order to use wind energy more effectively.
Composite materials for exterior wall insulation
In the Benelux region, building envelope specifications strictly increase thermal efficiency. Curtain ventilation doors are very common, especially in offices and industrial buildings. In today's material solutions, only thick insulation materials can be used, or It can't be satisfied at all.
In the local context, FISCO Composites Solutions GmbH, Zussmahrshausen, Germany, together with other partners, has developed a new wall bracket that meets the requirements and greatly facilitates the assembly process. The system installation is curtain ventilation Part of the lower structure of the curtain wall consists of two different elements: one is a core made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, which carries gravity and wind force from the surface into the masonry, and a cylindrical insulation that encloses the GFRP core. Boards to increase heat insulation.
Fireproof polyurethane material
Due to its excellent fire performance and good mechanical properties, FISCO uses Cosstro's Desmocomp® material as the matrix material for GFRP core materials. Aliphatic polyurethane resins are mainly used in outdoor applications because of their good weather resistance. The system can be easily processed using a pultrusion process.
Aqueous polyurethane dispersions from the Baybond® line are used as glass and carbon fiber sized film formers for thermoplastic composites. The dispersions have very good film-forming properties, elasticity, adhesion and yellowing stability, and ensure composites Good mechanical stability. More importantly, some Baybond® products are also approved for food contact. Covestro is also developing new products for thermosetting applications.