HUESKER Unveils W8SVR Neolaminate – 20% Lighter, Superior Flexural Stiffness

HUESKER has applied the benefits of spread tow tapes and fabrics to prepregged  thermoplastic organosheets. Its W8SVR Neolaminate is a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composite which achieves the same strength and stiffness as existing solutions while being up to 20% lighter. Where flexural stiffness is the focus of functional requirements, Neolaminate excels by offering up to 35% less deformation than conventional composites for the same thickness or weight. Even with complex geometries, Neolaminate reportedly offers exceptional surface smoothness, unlocking new product design options, for example, through the application of film or coated finishes.

HUESKER uses industrial machinery to manufacture W8SVR Neolaminates in widths up to 2.9 meters. The significant improvement in properties is achieved through the use of pre-stretched (spread) continuous fibers arranged unidirectionally in a polymer matrix. These “UD tapes” are then processed to meet part requirements as either wovens (nearly without undulation) or as noncrimp fabrics (completely without undulation). Fiber orientation can be tailored to best resist the expected loads in a particular part or component. Meanwhile, the near-net-shape production of Neolaminates leads to a considerable reduction in waste compared to the use of conventional organosheets.

Potential applications of W8SVR span a wide range of sectors – from aeronautics and transportation to sporting and consumer goods.  The material has already been used by designer Marc Meijers in his sustainable DenimX chairs, which upcycles discarded jeans into high-quality furniture. W8SVR offered flexibility in surface finishing with easy molding into 3D shapes, high strength and lightweight.

 

 

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This post is courtesy of the CompositesWorld and AZL Aachen GmbH media partnership.