The Barcol hardness test characterises the indentation hardness of materials through the depth of penetration of an indentor, loaded on a material sample and compared to the penetration in a reference material. The method is most often used for composite materials such as reinforced thermosetting resins or to determine how much a resin or plastic Full Article…
Reaction injection moulding (RIM) is similar to injection moulding except thermosetting polymers are used which requires a curing reaction to occur within the mould. Common items made via RIM include automotive bumpers and spoilers. Process First, the two parts of the polymer are mixed together. The mixture is then injected into the mould under high Full Article…
A thermosetting plastic, also known as a thermoset, is polymer material that irreversibly cures. The cure may be done through heat (generally above 200 °C (392 °F)), through a chemical reaction (two-part epoxy, for example), or irradiation such as electron beam processing. Thermoset materials are usually liquid or malleable prior to curing and designed to Full Article…
A biocomposite is a material formed by a matrix (resin) and a reinforcement of natural fibres (usually derived from plants or cellulose). With wide-ranging uses from environment-friendly biodegradable composites to biomedical composites for drug/gene delivery, tissue engineering applications and cosmetic orthodontics. They often mimic the structures of the living materials involved in the process in Full Article…
Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) (also fibre-reinforced polymer) is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres. The fibres are usually glass, carbon, or aramid, although other fibres such as paper or wood can be used. The polymer is usually an epoxy, vinylester or polyester thermosetting plastic, and phenol formaldehyde resins are still in Full Article…
Bulk moulding compound (BMC) or bulk moulding composite is a ready to mould, fibre reinforced thermoset polyester material primarily used in injection moulding and compression moulding. The material is provided in bulk or logs. BMC is manufactured by mixing strands (>1”) of chopped glass fibres in a mixer with polyester resin. The glass fibres in Full Article…
Sheet moulding compound (SMC) or sheet moulding composite is a ready to mould fibre-reinforced polyester material primarily used in compression moulding. The sheet is provided in rolls weighing up to 1000 kg. SMC is both a process and reinforced composite material. This is manufactured by dispersing long strands (>1”) of chopped glass fibres on a Full Article…
Injection moulding is a manufacturing process for producing parts from both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic materials. Material is fed into a heated barrel, mixed, and forced into a mould cavity where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity. After a product is designed, usually by an industrial designer or an engineer, moulds Full Article…
Industrial autoclaves are pressure vessels used to process parts and materials which require exposure to elevated pressure and temperature. The manufacture of high-performance components from advanced composites often requires autoclave processing. Principal of Operation An autoclave applies both heat and pressure to the workload placed inside of it. Typically, there are two classes of autoclave. Full Article…
Carbon Fibre reinforced polymer or Carbon Fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP or CRP or often simply carbon fibre), is a very strong and light fibre reinforced polymer which contains Carbon Fibre, The polymer is most often epoxy, but other polymers, such as polyester, vinyl ester or nylon, are sometimes used. The composite may contain other fibres Full Article…