SGL Group has developed an isotropic non-woven prepreg (ICV prepreg) based on recycled carbon fibers combined with an epoxy resin, which it plans to exhibit at Composites Europe. Due to a new manufacturing process that makes it possible to use recycled carbon fibers, this material possesses almost isotropic mechanical properties, the company says. The ICV prepreg has a new type of surface appearance and can be used in pressing processes as well as conventional autoclave processes, making it suitable for a new range of applications.
SGL Group has also developed a range of long fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (LFRPs), available as both glass fiber-reinforced and carbon fiber-reinforced semi-finished products. They offer short cycle times, weldability, good recyclability and ease of combination with other thermoplastic semi-finished products, the company claims.
SGL will be showing the new prepreg and composites at this year’s Composites Europe, taking place from 22 to 24 September in Stuttgart, Germany, along with current products. Thees include the SIGRAPREG prepregs which can be combined with new fast-hardening resin systems that are currently being developed with a view to the requirements of future large-scale component production. These ‘snap-cure’ resin systems combine improved hardening times, good storage stability and adhesiveness of the pre-impregnated semi-finished products optimized for automated machining.
Improved winding
The company will also be presenting its SIGRAPREG TowPreg, which was shown for the first time at JEC 2015. The pre-impregnated rovings made from carbon or glass fibers are suitable for winding and lay-up processes and have improved winding properties, which result in improved mechanical properties in the component.
SGL Group is also showcasing a transparent resin system for prepregs, which is used for visible components, such as in the automotive industry.
This story is reprinted from material from SGL, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
