Introduction

The benefits of advanced composite materials have long been appreciated by a wide range of industries.

The carbon and glass fibre materials supplied by the Advanced Composites Group (ACG) have been at the forefront of the general industrial arena for many years. Characteristics such as processing flexibility and exceptional strength have inspired engineers to develop equipment that has led to significant improvements in industrial performance at a phenomenal pace.

With design, stress, research and application engineers in mind, ACG has prepared and collated an extensive database of material mechanical properties. This database characterises a wide range of resin and fibre combinations that are frequently applied to notable and successful applications for goods in the general industrial arena.

The data is comprehensive and is prepared for finite element analysis and can be extended to encompass new fibre/resin/test combinations as required. All of this information is available on request from ACG's Technology Centre.

Typical applications include, but are not limited to:

• Doctor blades - Epoxy and phenolic systems combine with carbon, glass and cotton reinforcements to produce doctor blades for the paper industry.

• Springs - Unidirectional glass fibre for the production of mechanical springs for use in conveyor systems.

• Filter media - Epoxy and phenolic resin systems on paper and/or non-woven felts for heavy industrial filters.

• High temperature insulation - Silica/phenolic resin for high temperature and ablative applications.

• Electrical insulation - General purpose phenolics and epoxies for NEMA Grades G3, G10, G11, FR4, FR5 applications. In addition to brominated fire retardant resins we also offer halogen free systems suitable for use in thyristors, slot wedges, troughs, etc.

• Flat sheets, rods, tubes and poles for general mechanical applications and machined components.

• Cryogenic (liquid helium) vessels.

• Rollers and airshafts for converting machinery.

• Robotics and high speed automation.

• Oil industry products.

• Smoke detector maintenance equipment.

• Pre-cursors for Carbon-Carbon composites.

• Printed circuit boards - Pre-cured prepreg for the manufacture of flexible printed circuit boards.

• Glue Liners - Epoxy adhesives on lightweight carriers for bonding transformer and cryogenic magnet laminations. Anti-tracking products. Melamine overlay to improve the tracking properties of phenolic laminates.

The above examples, which successfully utilise the benefits of prepreg materials, have enabled the swift development of prototype designs, brought about significant technical improvements, and have enabled customers to achieve their objectives.