Lightweight Composite Panels are customized to user's needs.
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Press Release Summary:
Ranging in size from 4 x 8 to 40 x 8 ft, Composite Panels feature solid laminates or sandwich construction with fiberglass skins surrounding foam core. Solid laminates are available up to 1 in. thick, while sandwich skins vary from 0.075-0.5 in. thick with foam cores available up to 8 in. Produced using vacuum infusion, panels are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and offer dynamic alternative for containers, walls, floors, walkways, and storage sheds.
Original Press Release:
Composite Advantage Uses New Class Of Closed Molding Techniques To Offer New Product Application
DAYTON, Ohio - (December 7, 2005) - Composite Advantage LLC (CA) is putting a new class of closed molding techniques at the fingertips of customers that do not traditionally consider composites to solve unique problems or add value to existing products. As a comprehensive resource for closed molding, Composite Advantage has harnessed the technology to introduce a new product application for large structural panels.
Produced with an advanced method of vacuum infusion, these composite panels are especially suited for manufacturers facing weight constraints for installation projects where use of traditional materials like steel or concrete is not appropriate. Because the composite panels are corrosion resistant and lighter yet stronger, the product also offers a dynamic alternative for containers, walls, floors, walkways, storage sheds, equipment pads and trench covers.
Vacuum infusion produces high quality reproducible parts, low void content and near zero emissions of hazardous air pollutants for a cleaner environment. Because the process and its various techniques (differentiated by the flow assistance method employed by Composite Advantage) use a flexible membrane on the top surface, vacuum infusion lends itself to applications involving large structural composites.
The new composite panels combine the unique advantages of composite material along with its design flexibility to provide optimized structures. Composite Advantage's vacuum infusion process with its reusable bagging system makes the large panels easy to fabricate and reduces labor costs and assembly time. As much as one-fifth lighter than concrete, the composite panels reduce or all but eliminate the need for heavy-duty installation equipment normally required to move and place pre-fabricated structures made from traditional materials. Composite Advantage's bagging techniques also eliminate tedious handwork yet deliver consistency and repeatability.
In addition, the new panels can be tailored to fit customers' individual requirements. "Part of the new service we provide is to evaluate a customer's problem area and develop a customized composite solution to solve that problem," said Scott Reeve, President of Composite Advantage.
The panels feature solid laminates or sandwich construction with fiberglass skins surrounding a foam core. Panel thickness and lay-up is determined from structural analysis ensuring the right amount of material is used to meet load requirements. Solid laminates are available in sizes up to one inch thick. Sandwich skins vary from 0.075 inch thick to 0.5 inch thick with foam cores available in sizes up to eight inches. The foam can be reinforced with fiberglass to provide excellent shear strength and crushing resistance. Ultraviolet inhibitors are added to the resin to provide long term resistance to outdoor exposure.
Panel sizes range from four feet x eight feet to 40 feet x eight feet. Larger panels are more cost effective and structurally efficient (less joints). Panel size is determined by fit and installation requirements. In addition to Vacuum Infusion, Composite Advantage also provides manufacturers with a new approach for Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), RTM Light and prepreg vacuum bag processes.
Composite Advantage provides a range of services and products for the industrial parts market, medical, oil, energy, architectural, building, construction and chemical industries. The composite manufacturer leader's specialized composite material solutions provide the competitive edge companies need to thrive in today's marketplace. As an advanced materials company, Composite Advantage is helping customers who do not traditionally use composites, take their innovative products to a new level by providing custom enabling components that harness the unique advantages of polymer composites. Composite Advantage's strength is its ability to listen to customers, understand their needs and deliver high quality, cost effective parts in the volumes customers require. Composite Advantage is a comprehensive source for composite manufacturing using closed molding technology that includes Vacuum Infusion, Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), RTM Light and prepreg vacuum bag processes. The company's technical expertise in composites and efficient manufacturing processes allow Composite Advantage to maintain a strong presence in the global marketplace while filling industry demands for high quality, low to medium volume, custom manufacturing. Housed in the National Composite Center (NCC), Composite Advantage's quick response time is complimented by its access to a wide range of support technologies.
For more information about Composite Advantage visit: www.compositeadvantage.com
Composite Advantage
Scott Reeve, President
2000 Composite Drive
Dayton, Ohio 45420
Phone: 937-296-5030
Fax: 937-296-5039
sreeve@compositeadvantage.com
http://www.compositeadvantage.com/process/vacuum.html
