Vacuum Moulding of Thermoplastic
Composite Structures
Background
Over 30% of all composite structures such as boats, wind turbine rotors, etc are manufactured in open moulds by hand utilising solvent based polyester resins. This gives rise to a number of problems including:
- Increasingly stringent health and safety legislation governing solvent emissions (ie styrene) into the workplace and atmosphere
- New end of life directives governing recyclability
The Solution
In order to overcome these issues EPL have conducted several major multi-million research programmes over the past 10 years to develop techniques to manufacture large surface area structures in environmentally friendly continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastics.
Benefits
The benefits of low pressure forming of thermoplastic composites includes:
- No VOC (Volatile Organic Compunds) or styrene emissions in the workplace
- 100% recyclable
- Excellent impact and abrasion resistance
- Reduced labour and overhead
- Reduced cycle times – one hit process
- Lower component costs
- Excellent water and chemical resistance
Expertise
EPL have in-depth knowledge and practical experience in vacuum bag moulding of thermoplastic composite structures. This experience includes:
- Tooling materials
- Surface finishing
- Product design
- Bonding and joining
- Fire resistance
- Mechanical properties
- Core materials
- Process conditions
EPL has now successfully introduced this technology into a wide range of applications such as boats, wind turbine rotors, bumpers, canoes, interior and exterior car body panels, cattle decks, etc.
Commercialisation
In order to commercialise this technology, EPL have assigned all its IPR into Thermocomp Ltd.
Thermocomp Ltd has the worldwide exclusive rights to commercialise this technology. Thermocomp Ltd are looking for partners to licence this technology on a global basis. |
