Chomarat to showcase new glass, carbon reinforcements at JEC Europe 2015

CHOMARAT will introduce two new reinforcement products at JEC Europe 2015, the G-FlowTM and the C-PlyTM Ultra Thin. 

 

The G-Flow 100% glass reinforcement fabric combines structural and flow properties. Designed for the infusion process, it enables substantial cost savings without sacrificing on mechanical properties. Its good permeability and exceptional flow rate over long distances makes it ideal for large parts as well without the need for an external flow medium. 

 

The product’s unusual textile structure enables the flow function, the integration of which reduces the number of required networks, use of consumables, and processing time. Tests showed a 20% to 30% drop in material costs and 100% cut in cycle times compared with a solution requiring an external flow medium. The tests likewise indicate the G-Flow can preserve the same tensile and flexural properties as for a laminate created using an external flow medium.

 

“This is why it adapts just as well to the boating market as to wind energy or transportation, for example,” said Michel Cognet, the Group’s general manager.

 

Meanwhile, the C-Ply Ultra Thin intermediate-modulus (IM) carbon fiber product features excellent mechanical performance and incomparable lightness. 

 

“Chomarat is pushing the technological envelope with this new areal weight of non-crimp fabric (NCF) carbon reinforcements, the most recent in our C-Ply line. The latest developments enabled the production of a biaxial with 50 gsm plies (for a total 100 gsm) made of IM carbon fiber,” Mr. Cognet said.

 

The reinforcement is suitable for the sports and leisure, and automotive sectors. Similar to all reinforcements in the C-Ply line, it can be processed using RTM, infusion, or prepregs, he added.

 

Chomarat now supplies a non-crimp fabric in bi-, tri-, quadriaxial or UD, with 70 gsm plies made of IM carbon fiber (24K). It plans to industrialize its new biaxial prototype with ultra-thin plies (50 gsm) made of IM carbon fiber beginning next year.