Formosa Plastics, TTRI collaborate to create rCF thermoplastics
Novel rCF-reinforced polycarbonate can be formed into complex shapes and recycled at its end of life.
Share
Source | Formosa Plastics Corp.
Formosa Plastics Corp. (Taipei City, Taiwan) has collaborated with (Taipei City) to develop an intermediate recycled carbon fiber-reinforced polycarbonate (PC) thermoplastic composite material. State-of-the-art PC fiber spinning technology combines a dry hybrid nonwoven technology combined with recycled carbon fiber (rCF). This combination could be post-consumer recycled PC and flame-retardant PC as well. PC fiber represents the polymer matrix for impregnation and consolidation, which means the addition of extra matrix resin is no longer necessary.
This novel material offers recycling and reshaping characteristics. It is lightweight, strong and meets customer requirements for various applications, such as consumer electronics and sporting goods. It enables the manufacture of complex shapes in a thermal pressing step, or combination of sheet forming and injection molding minus further steps for the production of parts. This can help reduce cycle time, manufacturing cost and CO2 emissions. It also has a positive effect on the life cycle assessment of products.
Related Content
-
3D-printed CFRP tools for serial production of composite landing flaps
GKN Aerospace Munich and CEAD develop printed tooling with short and continuous fiber that reduces cost and increases sustainability for composites production.
-
Welding is not bonding
Discussion of the issues in our understanding of thermoplastic composite welded structures and certification of the latest materials and welding technologies for future airframes.
-
Drag-based wind turbine design for higher energy capture
Claiming significantly higher power generation capacity than traditional blades, Xenecore aims to scale up its current monocoque, fan-shaped wind blades, made via compression molded carbon fiber/epoxy with I-beam ribs and microsphere structural foam.