Thermoplastic Composites withstand high stress levels.
Press Release Summary:
Manufactured in continuous process, Celstran® Thermoplastic Composites feature unidirectional orientation of reinforcement fibers with full impregnation. Pre-preg tapes are available in 4, 6, 8, and 10 in. wide sizes. By using various thermoplastic matrix materials such as PP, POM, TPU, PPS, and PBT, and embedding fibers such as glass, carbon, aramid, or stainless steel along with additives, material's properties can be tailored to suit specific requirements.
Original Press Release:
Ticona Now Offers Celstran® Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics
Florence, Ky., Kelsterbach, Germany, Nov. 7, 2007 - For the first time, Ticona has added continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites to its Celstran product portfolio. The polymer manufacturer's new offering comes in response to the increasing demand for materials that are both light weight and able to withstand high levels of stress. Celstran thermoplastic composites comprise a range of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics whose processing and properties can be adapted to special customer requirements. They are lighter than thermoset resins and many light metal alloys, while allowing for a more rational and eco-friendly approach to processing. Celstran thermoplastic composites are particularly well-suited for the realization of lightweight structural designs in the energy, aircraft, rail car and automotive sectors, as well as for highly stressed components in industrial and plant construction.
With these new Celstran thermoplastic composites, Ticona offers high performance products for the implementation of lightweight structural designs and highly stressed elements. Apart from their light weight, they satisfy requirements above all with their mechanical property profile and their resistance to aggressive media. By using different thermoplastic matrix materials (PP, POM, TPU, PPS, PBT, etc.) and embedding various fibers (glass, carbon, aramid, stainless steel) along with the addition of additives, the material's properties can be tailored to suit specific requirements.
The broad range of "Continuous Fiber Reinforced Tapes in a Thermoplastic Matrix" (CFRTP) can be post-processed and formed using processing techniques such as winding or pressing. The patented "Fluid Heat Transfer under Vacuum" process of the Australian company Quickstep Technologies (www.quickstep.com.au) highlights the advantages of these semi-finished products particularly well - such as optimized production featuring short cycle times, even with complex product symmetries. Thanks to the thermoplastic matrix, the new materials from Ticona can be combined or further processed using various processes once initial forming has been completed. Further advantages of the thermoplastic matrix include its environmental compatibility, low-emission post-processing and good recyclability.
Celstran thermoplastic composites are manufactured in a continuous process with unidirectional orientation of the reinforcement fibers with full impregnation. As a result, the prepreg tapes offer outstanding mechanical properties and good surface quality. At the present time, Ticona's standard portfolio includes 4", 6", 8", 10"-wide prepreg tapes. Individual solutions for special customer requirements are also possible.
"The implementation of lightweight structures is a growth field with very high potential. That's why, as a polymer producer, this step in the direction of thermoplastic composites not only makes sense but is also consistent," says Frank Reuter, Business Manager Celstran at Ticona. This point of view reflects the company's many years of experience with long fiber-reinforced thermoplastics.
About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of high performance products , and achieved net sales of $915 million in 2006. Ticona employs approximately 2,000 individuals at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil. For more information, please visit www.ticona.com.
As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.7 billion in 2006, with over 60% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,900 employees worldwide. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the company's website at www.celanese.com.
Celstran® is a registered trademark of Ticona.
