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(PFS, Gronau, Germany) reveals its latest innovations in commercial self-reinforced composite technology at CAMX 2022, featuring the patented polymer-based Curv and Curv Tactical thermoplastic composites commonly found in global automotive, luggage, sport and tactical applications. PFS also features its latest developments in Curv-on-Core technology, a high-performance hybridization that combines Curv composite skins with a hexagonal honeycomb structure.

Products using Curv technology from Bauer, Teijin, Samsonite, Rossignol and more are available for exhibitors to feel and inspect. Representatives from PFS are available to distribute samples, provide additional insight into the technology and answer any technical questions in detail. Live impact testing compares Curv to common and composite materials including carbon fiber, polypropylene, ABS and more at relative thicknesses.

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Curv has achieved widespread commercial success in large part due to its ability to be thermoformed, relative low cost and its impact strength compared to plastics and composites, PFS says. It is made of heat-compacted woven polymer fibers and requires no additional fibers to maintain its strength or impact resistance. Because traditional Curv is a pure thermoplastic, it can be fully recycled and is suitable in cold weather applications.

PFS higlights Curv’s structure, enabling it to absorb and resist large amounts of energy without permanent deformation. When compared to typical plastics, metals and other composite materials, Curv is said to be designed to withstand high impacts at low thicknesses, enabling for significant weight and cost reduction. PFSs notes Curv is well suited for applications demanding very low weight and high impact strength.

Propex’s efforts in composite technology aimed to develop a lighter, stronger and more robust Curv thermoplastic composite material that is straightforward to process and easy to recycle. It can be cut, sewn and drilled through with traditional processes and formed into 3D parts through pressure thermoforming (a technique PFS can advise on). Manufacturers, PFS says, also benefit from the ability to customize Curv to match their brand with new custom weave patterns, colors, and aesthetic and functional finishes.

PFS is ready to assist customers around the world with consultation and implementation of thermoplastic composites in their specific applications. Continued investments streamline the manufacturing process from design to delivery.